Introduction:
Diagonally opposite the Boulder Town Hall, this building is a fine example of the art deco style of the 1930's and is one of only two such buildings remaining in the Goldfields region. The theatre is now converted into a recreation sports centre; facilities for skating, bootskooting, children's parties and cinema hire are just a few of the activities provided for within.


History - 1978-2005:
During 1978, a group of concerned local business and community people felt the need for a ‘Drop-in-Centre’ for the youth of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The Palace Theatre building and land was available for sale for the princely sum of $13,000, and was subsequently purchased by the ‘Boulder Youth Management Committee Inc’ through fundraising and a donation from the Sir Lindsay Clark Trust Fund (1978-1980). The Theatre consisted of indoor and outdoor picture screens with the main brick building at 127 Burt Street and the outdoor seating area at 123 and 125 Burt Street.

A change in name occurred in 1982 to Goldfields Youth Management Committee Inc. In it's first few years the centre catered for activities such as skating, table tennis, boxing, weightlifting and trampolining. The Government-subsidised Vacation Care Program was initiated in Kalgoorlie-Boulder at the Theatre in 1980 and continued through until 1991. The income from these recreational sessions was, however, not enough to support the maintenance of the building. The decision was made to sell the corner block to provide the Committee with working capital and a future.

With the closure of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's only other skating venue, Kalarena, in 1986, additional roller skating sessions were introduced at the Theatre. Around the same time the Eastern Goldfields YMCA approached the GYMC to establish indoor cricket, which had previously operated at Kalarena. Hence indoor cricket was a big financial boost for four years (1987-1991), in addition to roller skating, up until the Cremorne Indoor Cricket Centre started operation. Summer indoor soccer and indoor hockey filled the gap for the following two years (1991-1993). When the Eastern Goldfields Hockey Association built their stadium in Lionel Street, the soccer and hockey sessions slowly decreased in regularity. Roller hockey commenced in 1994 at a social level, and moved on to a competitive level in 1997, catering for both junior and senior players. Sub-junior competitions started in 1998. With the introduction and popularity of roller blades over the next few years there was a tremendous decline in regular attendance at sessions. Even though the majority of people using the rink had their own roller blades, it was no longer the hive of skating social activity. Instead they are blading at their home environs. The opening of the Goldfields Oasis Recreation Facility also gave the people other avenues for leisure activities.

A meeting on the 1st November 1999 led to a decision to rename the organisation the ‘Palace Theatre Recreation Centre Inc’. It was felt this gave a better indication of the activities held at this facility. In March 2001, Boulder Promotion & Development Association decided to support the Palace Theatre as it was having difficulties due to a lack of volunteers. A special meeting was called on the 30th May and a new committee was formed. In September 2002, the Palace Theatre was formally handed over to BP&DA. There have been various submissions put in to raise money for much needed work to the Theatre. The block next door has been fenced and skate park equipment supplied by the council. The upstairs area was gutted has been restored as a cinema, with the seats from the Cremorne Theatre recovered and placed insitue. The lighting was upgraded and the ceiling replaced, thanks to a grant from the GEDC's Kalgoorlie Boulder Development Scheme.

In 2004 BP&DA received a grant of $110,000.00 from the Federal Governments Regional Partnerships Grants to replace the floor and do restoration work on the Palace Theatre. The outside was repainted and the floor replaced with a magnificent new floor, new carpets laid, a data projector was purchased for the cinema and a new sound system installed in th DJ box. The toilets have been upgraded and the tiling was done throughout the interior early in 2005.

All work was finalized by November 2005 and a official function to celebrate the completion was held on 10th December with Barry Haase MP presiding over the event. The next thing on the agenda is replacing the front doors and restoring the entrance facade.

The Palace Theatre is also being recognised at the Seventh Art Deco Awards Ceremony and Art Exhibition honouring the Cinema Architects of the 1930's in WA. The Exhibition will feature 20 cinemas of the 1930's, including several long-gone, which were of great significance to the social history of Western Australia. One of those to be featured is the Palace Theatre.

The Theatre Today:

The financial viability of the Palace Theatre has seen the emphasis now focusing on groups hiring the facility. Children's party bookings are also very popular, especially in the winter months and can be arranged to suit. The beginners session has also grown in numbers. Other community groups use the centre for their end of season activities with bookings being made months in advance.

Contact Information:
Palace Theatre Recreation Centre
127 Burt Street (PO Box 2350)
Boulder 6432 Western Australia
Phone/Anwering Machine: 08-9093 2370
Session Manager: Steph Openshaw 0427 990 019

The property was purchased by a committee with community-raised money for the community. That means for each and every one of us.