IT is hard to miss CircusWA’s new Princess May Park home.
Recently told they had to leave their Old Customs House home of more than two decades, the not-for-profit organisation has made a deal with the City of Fremantle and DADAA, the new tenants of the Old Boys School, to set up a big top tent on Princess May Park.
The lease allows CircusWA to call the park home for as many as three years while looking for a permanent place.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWWith no change to the program on offer and with classes beginning at the new big top yesterday, CircusWA project manager Jo Smith said it had been quite a journey looking for a new home, but the urge to stay in Fremantle had been a big one.
“It has been known for a long time that we had to leave Customs House,” she said.
“The circus again had to look for bricks and mortar but we couldn’t find anything that was affordable in Fremantle that suited our needs.
“We looked afield, we went to Mandurah, we went to Midland and places in between, but when we looked back at our history in Freo I think you just don’t give up that history unless there is a good reason or another direction.”
She said circus was a survivor, growing in places that other organisations could not.
“With that sense of determination and willingness to try, we said we’d go into this park, we’d build a big top and we’ll bring people to this place,” she said.
“There was a lot of trepidation at the beginning; there was a lot of ‘oh really, a tent?’ but now everyone is so excited, you can’t explain what a big bunch of canvas can do for someone in a space, for morale.
“It will grow our performance capacity and we’re excited; we’ve got (future) security. It’s our space.”
Ms Smith said the big top would also be another venue option for concerts and events during Fremantle’s big annual festivals.
To donate or sponsor CircusWA, email business@circuswa.com or call 0435 374 492.
Visit www.circuswa.com for more information.
MORE: Mirrabooka dog killer pleads guilty, avoids jail time
MORE: Man charged after allegedly pulling shotgun on trail-bike riders MORE: Perth Lord Mayor defends reputation at SAT hearing MORE: Australia’s most decadent toastie is back and better than ever