Council will finance the spend from its 2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2020/2021 capital expenditure budgets.

“The need for a multi-purpose performing arts centre has long been identified for the Armidale Region,” the Armidale Regional Council administrator said in his report.

“This is an extremely cost effective way to secure the long desired performing arts centre.

“As indications are that the super secondary school will not be completed until 2021, this enables ARC to spread its contribution over this period.”

But the commitment comes with two conditions.

The auditorium must have 1000 seats.

And the facility will be available to the regional community for public use.

Council and the community must also have input into the facility’s design, Dr Tiley stipulated in in his report.

Education department executive director Frank Potter said Council and the community would be involved in the planning process.

“There will be public consultation on this,” he said. 

“And there will been to be a community users agreement in place.”

The performing arts centre will be part of a new $65 million super-school to be built on the Armidale High School campus in 2019.

The funding comes as part of the state government’s $4.2 billion public education infrastructure splurge, announced in last week’s NSW budget.

Armidale and Duval high schools will be demolished.

And the new school will open in 2021.

The new 1000 seat facility also renders Council’s NERAM cultural precinct redundant.

“This is a fantastic announcement for Armidale and the region,” Dr Tiley said.

Dr Tiley will adopt the new recommendation at Wednesday’s council meeting in Armidale.