Perth Entertainment Centre: Difference between revisions
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'''The Perth Entertainment Centre''' (or '''PEC''') is a [[ |
'''The Perth Entertainment Centre''' (or '''PEC''') is a [[domed]] indoor arena and cinema complex located in Wellington Street in the city centre of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], [[Western Australia]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Revision as of 13:13, 10 June 2009
PEC | |
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| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°56′57″S 115°51′16″E / 31.94917°S 115.85444°E |
| Owner | Seven Network Limited |
| Capacity | 8,200 |
| Opened | 27 December, 1974 |
| Closed | 2002 |
| Tenants | |
| Perth Wildcats (NBL) (1991-2002) Perth Breakers (WNBL) (1988-1989) | |
The Perth Entertainment Centre (or PEC) is a domed indoor arena and cinema complex located in Wellington Street in the city centre of Perth, Western Australia.
History
The venue was conceived and championed by the late Brian Treasure, then General Manager at Perth television station TVW 7 and theatrical entrepreneur Michael Edgley. Their interest was principally that their two organisations had mounted large stage shows which toured the country in circus tents; a process that created major logistical challenges. The venue was designed by architects Hobbs, Winning and Leighton and was forecast to cost $5 million, but its construction coincided with a period of intense industrial action. Delays and interruptions, including strike action which was timed to coincide with concrete pours, led to a cost blow-out. The final cost was $8.3 million and interest charges put immediate financial pressure on the venture.[1]
The venue opened on 27 December 1974 as the Channel 7 Edgley Entertainment Centre with the Australian debut of the second Disney On Parade show. In around 1975 the owners approached the State and Federal governments for assistance and the Government of Western Australia took ownership of the building, renaming it The Perth Entertainment Centre.[1]
With a capacity of 8003 seats, the Entertainment Centre was Perth's primary large concert venue from 1974 until its closure in 2002. It is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest purpose built regular theatre (containing a proscenium arch) in the world.[2] The venue also played host to a number of theatrical extravaganzas, as well as a range of other events including musicals, circuses, corporate functions and international beauty pageants (Miss Universe 1979).
The Perth Entertainment Centre was home to the Perth Wildcats basketball team from 1991 until 2001.
Music Concerts
The arena hosted many major music concerts. These include:
- ABBA performed 10th (6pm & 9pm) - 11th (8pm) & 12th (3pm & 8.30pm) March 1977.
- Alice Cooper performed 14-15 March 1977, 5 September 1997, 17 April 2001.
- Fleetwood Mac performed 18-19 November 1977, February 21-22 1979, April 8-9th 1990.
- The Beach Boys performed 14-15 March 1978
- David Bowie performed 14 November 1978, 4th, 5, 6 November 1983
- Bob Marley performed 23 April 1979
- The Police performed 19 March 1980
- Kiss performed 8th, 9th, 10, 11 November 1980, 4th Feb 1995
- AC/DC performed 13 February 1981, 1-2 February 1988, 23-24 October 1991
- Devo performed 17 February 1982
- Duran Duran performed 27 November 1983
- Robert Plant performed 28 January 1984
- Elton John performed 6-7 March 1984, 27-28 January 1990
- U2 performed 23-24 September 1984, and launched their Lovetown Tour in September 1989 at the centre.
- Phil Collins performed 20 April 1985
- Thompson Twins performed 14 February 1986
- Aerosmith performed 15 October 1990
- Elvis Costello performed 8 September 1991
- Red Hot Chili Peppers performed 17 Oct 1992, 10 May 1996, 7 Feb 2000
- Bon Jovi performed 7 November 1989, 4 October 1993
- Depeche Mode performed March 5, 1994
- R.E.M. performed 13 January 1995
- Celine Dion kicked off her Falling Into You Tour on 18-21 March 1996
- Cliff Richard performed 1 and 2 March 1998
- Pearl Jam performed 6 March 1995, 19-20 March 1998
- Metallica performed 7-8 April 1992, 11-12 April 1998
- Tina Turner performed 3th,4,5 April 1997
- Van Halen performed 29 April 1998
- Bob Dylan performed 18 March 2001
- Kylie Minogue performed 28 and 30 May 2001
- Robbie Williams performed in December 2001
- Tool performed in 2002
- Youth Alive WA performed in August 2002 (final show at the venue before closure).
Current Status
The venue is currently owned by the Seven Network and has not been used since 2002. It was officially closed in August 2002. In 2005, the Government of Western Australia unveiled plans for a new entertainment centre to be built on the site of the carpark for the existing centre. In 2006, the new centre was officially given the name of 'Perth Arena'.[3] This facility is currently under construction and the project is scheduled to be completed in 2011. The existing structure has remained closed throughout this period, and is due to be demolished for apartment and office development as part of the first stage of the state government's Northbridge Link project.[4]