THE Mitchell Conservatorium has been given a lifeline that will protect its ability to serve the community in the short term.
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In November, the conservatorium was informed by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice that it would need to vacant the Orchard Room to make way for an expansion of Bathurst Court House services.
It came as a shock and caused a lot of stress as the room is the conservatorium's main performance space and hosts a number of programs.
Official notice was received on December 12, with the Mitchell Conservatorium given a March 27, 2020 deadline to vacate the room.
While the details are still being ironed out, the conservatorium's executive director, Graham Sattler, has confirmed he is in talks with All Saints' Cathedral to arrange a space to take over from the Orchard Room.
"We've had fantastic community support around this issue and around short to medium-term options for the Orchard Room," he said, adding there were several options considered.
"Things are looking positive with All Saints' Cathedral helping us with a short-term solution for the Orchard Room."
Confirmation on the plans is expected to come within the next week or so.
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Mr Sattler said having an arrangement with the cathedral would be beneficial, given its proximity to the existing Mitchell Conservatorium facilities.
To assist staff and students, it is critical that the Orchard Room's replacement premises be nearby.
"An enormous benefit of having an arrangement with the cathedral is that those buildings are really just across Kings Parade, in the same precinct as the Mitchell Conservatorium," Mr Sattler said.
Should all go to plan, the staff will need to move quickly to vacate the Orchard Room and set up a new space before the 2020 program starts in February.
"Essentially, as soon as we have confirmation on the arrangement with the cathedral we'll be looking to relocating those activities, physically doing it in mid January," Mr Sattler said.
While it appears the Mitchell Conservatorium is out of immediate danger, there is still the issue of the future.
There are fears more of the wing will be needed by the Justice Department at a later date. The conservatorium staff hope to have already moved on if and when that decision is made.
Mr Sattler said management is looking for a new space, ideally in the CBD, and hopes to make a move within the next few years.
