While the Frankston Arts Centre remains closed to the public, work on the new-look box office has continued behind the scenes. In a happy coincidence, the renovated box office was unveiled on May 20 – exactly 25 years after the opening of the arts centre.
Back in 1995, prime minister Paul Keating opened the Frankston Arts Centre – then known as the Frankston Cultural Centre – with a gala performance involving about 2000 Frankston performers. At the 25th birthday celebrations, Frankston City Mayor Sandra Mayer cut the ribbon to open the new box office in a small ceremony involving a few past and present staff.
Besides being a well-timed birthday gift to the centre and its patrons, the new box office brings many improvements to Frankston Arts Centre patrons, including a wheelchair-friendly counter with a section at a lower height to allow easy access, making it compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Other improvements include increased office space, a more comfortable breakout area for ushers, and direct access to backstage that will be invaluable during the times when the foyer is buzzing again with patrons once restrictions can be lifted.
