The beloved Camelot cinema in Mosman Park will be revitalised this summer after its new tenant finally received funding from the local council after months of unexpected delays.
Mosman Park Memorial Hall’s new tenant, the Perth International Jazz Festival, secured a $40,000 grant from the Town of Mosman Park this week that will help bring the building back up to scratch.
“It was very heartening, seeing the community all so supportive of us,” PIJF general manager Richard Evans said after Tuesday’s council meeting.
The support comes just as award-winning Australian vocalist Holli Scott prepares to open the Camelot summer this Sunday with a performance of her latest album, Weather and Weeds.
“We have some wonderful artists joining us for five nights … which will help get the news out that Camelot’s back open for business,” Mr Evans said.
Camelot’s summer season has been in limbo for months after unexpected delays in acquiring an occupancy permit after areas of the 104-year-old hall were revealed to be non-compliant.
“Despite these unexpected hurdles, this investment in the building is crucial for public safety and to realise council’s vision to activate Memorial Hall,” a town report said.
With a permanent permit for the Camelot venue expected to be finalised by the end of the month, PIJF is wasting no time getting the ball rolling on a fresh start.
“I want to make it iconic in Perth. I want to make a real standout of how councils can turn these old town halls into cultural hubs, rather than just kind of limping them along,” Mr Evans said.
“As a lifelong Mosman Park resident, I think it would be great for us to have this space as something we can all be really proud of.”
PIJF will also screen movies and host events inside the heritage building for the first summer since the building’s roof caved in October 2022.
“With the indoor space back open, it means we can bring in bands and have the opportunity to hold a lot of bigger community events,” Mr Evans said.
PIJF originally requested $67,000 from the town and Mr Evans hopes to fill the funding hole via sponsors and donors.
The Town of Mosman Park had already given $48,000 last summer to help PIJF cover the costs of the season after long-standing operator Luna Cinemas pulled out of its lease.
Despite screening movies at Camelot for more than 20 years, the independent cinema made the “very sad” decision to pull out after new noise restrictions were brought in following complaints from three neighbours.
But the outdoor venue was resurrected in February, with moviegoers wearing noise-cancelling headphones as an alternative to the cinema speakers.
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