No arrival from below at the Lyric Theatre. Photo: ACT Government.
The ACT Government will cop a fair amount of flak for not including an underground carpark in the much-awaited Lyric Theatre project.
Parking issues are a common conversation point among theatregoers, particularly women, older people and anyone with mobility issues (you can probably include anybody in heels), and especially after dark and in Canberra’s weather extremes.
It will be cold comfort to them to be told that there are 5000 parking spaces within walking distance of the Canberra Theatre Centre at present.
Any surface carpark, such as that opposite Constitution Place, at Civic pool and the law courts, is earmarked for development, and while there will be replacement requirements for the new projects, those spaces will be missing during construction.
While 5000 sounds a lot, they service more than just the theatre.
Canberra Theatre Centre never had its own in-built parking, so the prospect of a new theatre was always tinged with the hope that it could correct this mistake.
Alas, the idea of a seamless transition from vehicle to theatre, driving underneath and taking a lift to the foyer, has foundered on the cost.
Without specifying the exact cost, the government states that it could not be justified.
It is understandable that when choices had to be made, getting the actual theatre right would take priority.
The plans offer some consolation, if it comes off, with a link planned to a future carpark beneath whatever building emerges on Block 23, the current carpark next to CMAG that will soon become a construction compound for the theatre project.
But that won’t happen for at least a decade.
There will also be accessible parking spaces and drop-off points.
Even if a carpark were planned, it would not have been able to cater for all the patrons, but it could have provided a better experience for those worried about walking from the Canberra Centre or further away.
The government asserts that about 18 per cent of patrons would use public transport, cycle or walk, which is on the optimistic side.
It must be taking the long view, factoring in light rail reaching Woden in the next decade.
While standards have slipped somewhat these days, it would be nice to think that the Lyric Theatre and its productions would encourage patrons to dress a little better than for a football match, which may not be suitable for a bus, light rail, or bike ride.
The government probably believes time is on its side. When the city is reshaped, particularly around the cultural district, there will be new below-ground carparks, an extended light rail and a far more connected and cohesive CBD.
Directly across Northbourne Avenue, Capital Property Group’s London Central office precinct on the former courts carpark will include a public basement carpark, like its Constitution Place development.
Patrons should be able to come up out of that carpark and walk directly across Northbourne Avenue and into the Lyric Theatre. London Central should be completed not long after the theatre.
There is also City Hill and, eventually, the Block 23 carpark next door.
To the southeast, the National Convention and Entertainment precinct should have its own underground parking.
Many would have held out hope to drive in luxury to the theatre, walk a few steps to a climate-controlled lift and then emerge, unruffled, for their grand and glorious entrance.
Leave that for the performers.
