Pioneer Village Theatre and Cinema

Mon, 12 Feb 2007, 12:43 am

jonko10 posts in thread

Hello everyone and anyone, I'm writing to see if I can get some feedback on the Pioneer Village Theatre /Cinema in Armadale. I've done quite a bit of research about this building and it was last used as a cinema back in Autumn last year (Oct/Nov time). I'm considering emigrating to Australia and I was considering an option to lease this bulding and run it as an independent cinema/theatre. Obviously, this is only a thought at this moment in time. Trouble is I know little about this town only that it seems to be quite a way out of Perth and in a small touristic village of middle class/middle age population. I spoke with the owners agents and they suggested I should do more research and try to contact people who know of the area to get an idea of what they thought. My idea would be to run it as a independent cinema showing independent, art house and quality mainstream films but I don't really know of the likly hood of such a venue working in Armadale as I don't know the place at all. I would dedicate some time over to theatre groups and maybe look at putting on music, cabaret, comedy etc to diversify the programme a bit as I don't think that as a normal cinema it wouldn't be able to compete with the nearby Piccadilly Cinema complex (incidently owned by the same company which is why they closed the Pioneer). There is a real danger that if the owner doesn't find someone to take it on soon he will redevelop it as a Lodgings House - as he already has a few and wants more. I wondered if anyone who knows the area could give my some idea of the area and if they thought such a project would be likely to work in Armadale or would I be committing financial suicide!!?? Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts. Thanks for you help. jonko

Thread (10 posts)

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jonkoMon, 12 Feb 2007, 12:43 am

Walter PlingeMon, 12 Feb 2007, 09:04 am

It's too far away from the

It's too far away from the metro area to be a commercially viable prospect. Armadale is often known as "Arma-hole" but many who live there.

LabrugMon, 12 Feb 2007, 12:20 pm

Arma-Boom

I hear Amardale is experiencing a growth boom currently, and I wouldn't say it's too far away when people are choosing to live even further in places such as Joondalup, Mandurah and Bunbury and Commute to Perth daily.

Basides, does a project such as this have to be in the Metro Area to be commercially viable? What about the growing communities in the surrounding suburbs to Armadale? Or are they not worth a mention?

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

Don AllenMon, 12 Feb 2007, 04:09 pm

Hello JonkoThe Piccadilly

Hello Jonko The Piccadilly cinemas would not compete with Pioneer villiage, too far away. Possibly your best chance for viability would be gaining council support for performing arts in the area. They could provide financial assistance through different grants if they wanted live theatre and alternate cinema in their growing region. See if council meetings minutes are on the web. In your research, look at what schools have performing arts facilities, if not you could put TEE plays on for their studies. A mixture of film and live theatre may keep you viable. Cinema complexes are moving into shopping centres to be viable, mid city cinema complexes are giving way to inner city housing, it is a constantly changing environment.

Neville TalbotMon, 12 Feb 2007, 07:54 pm

Definitely possible

Keep up research. I grew up in this area in the eighties, and then I would have said not a chance. However, the landscape is changing, there's more money everywhere, and Perth is in desperate need of new venues. the ideas above for council support, local schools etc. are excellent. Reality is that Armadale still isn't a 'top end' suburb, and as such I couldn't say if there was local demand for musicals/cabaret/independant theatre, these things traditionally in Australia limited to more wealthy and 'sophisticated' areas. BUT, the fact that there is really not much else in the area to mention could make you the trendsetter, marketed and managed correctly. (or could leave you in a big hole!) To be honest, if I had the money to spend, I'd probably love to do something like this myself. Just don't expect to make lots of money, and don't expect to make anything quickly. I know there are many on this site who would love to see you get up, and would be able to provide lots of on the ground support when you arrive! (the op to lease the space was a big topic on the forums some time ago from memory?) good luck, and hope to see you in Armadale Nev It's the simple things stupid...

stingerWed, 14 Feb 2007, 12:03 pm

The Heritage Angle

The PV theatre is part of a 'reconstructed' township of about the 1850s, along the lines of Sovereign Hill in Ballarat Vic and others around the country. SH is a hugely successful tourist attraction these days. If PV was in Kalgoorlie rather than Armadale, I'd say it would do a lot better. (Come to think of it, there IS something like it in Kal as well, but without a theatre). Nevertheless, if the theatre was run in keeping with that heritage theme (eg music halls, historic costume dramas etc), I'm sure it would do much better than it has been doing as just a general cinema. I'd love to be involved in something like that. All the best anyway. Ssstinger>>>

Neville TalbotWed, 14 Feb 2007, 02:39 pm

sstinger..?

Is this what you look like?! you almost look respectable compared to previous piccies! please say it aint so? :-) nev It's the simple things stupid...

jonkoThu, 15 Feb 2007, 02:18 am

Pioneer

HI, Thank you all for your comments - interesting and some contradictory - and to those that have written in privately too. My bad new is that the owner has said that he is now preferring to sell the building rather than lease (my preferred option was to lease with an option to buy in say three years time when we had tested the market and given it a good run). However, he is now saying that he would only lease for 12 months and the option would have to be in 12 months - which is a bit of a dilema really cause I don't think 12 months is a long enough period to give it a fair trial. What do you folks think? Thanks Jonko

LabrugThu, 15 Feb 2007, 09:00 am

Tight Deadline

12 Months is a very tight deadline indeed. It coulr possibly still be done, but it would require more effort and assistance.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

Walter PlingeSun, 6 May 2007, 04:33 pm

I have lived in Armadale

I have lived in Armadale for 14 years and I manage five spaces in Perth and know the venue well. The City of Armadale have underwritten a 4 screen multiplex in the shopping centre, which has first release options on all film and is operated by Grande Cinemas, a local chain. This is what closed the old cinemas. The space could not readily be used as a performing arts space and it is essential that you speak with the City of Armadale about a new public building permit and air conditioning noise. Feel free to call me at Kwinana Art Centre if you are still interested. regards Ian.

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