Costing $6 million in 2003, the Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre is the fruition of a long journey.

1975 - 1997

The Sale community started lobbying to secure a facility that could service the performing arts and entertainment needs of the area in 1975. Proposals were put to State Government on numerous occasions during the 1970's and 1980's for various community centres and performing arts spaces, but it wasn't until the  1990's that the idea gained enough momentum for State Government to contribute their support to development of a performing arts facility in Sale.

Nov 1998

Council begins the planning process - Initial reports are prepared and first designs are drawn up.

The first design integrated the Entertainment Centre with Sale's Memorial Hall;

Ultimately, the decision is made to build a new facility which fronts onto the highway.

Businesses, community groups and individuals begin to pledge funds in sponsorship of the Centre.

May 2002

Mayor Councillor Malcolm Hole and students from Sale Primary School turn the first sod, and construction commences.

Feb 2003

Wellington Shire in partnership with Esso and BHP Billiton announce the name of the Centre.

Nov 2003

The Entertainment Centre opens as part of a three week long festival of the Arts. 22 events and performances including puppetry, Opera, comedy and community productions attract more than 4500 visitors to the centre.

Local RAAF aerobatic pilots, the Roulettes, fly over the centre as part of the opening celebrations.

2004

Designed by Harmer Architecture, and built by local Master Builder R&J van Poppel Ltd, the Entertainment Centre's unique design is met with critical acclaim and receives major architectural awards, including the  2004 RAIA Award's Regional Institutional Building Prize, the Master Builder's Construction Excellence Awards, and the MBAV Regional Commercial Builder of the Year.

Nov 2007

After four years of operations, planning begins on a host of upgrades at the Entertainment Centre, including expanded backstage storage, a mechanical orchestra pit, updated dressing rooms and improved ticket offices.

Aug 2009

The Victorian State Government announces $800,000 worth of funding to support the Entertainment Centre upgrades. A further $400,000 is raised by pledges from local Government and the generosity of local Philanthropists.

2010

Upgrades to the Entertainment Centre commence. Despite nearly 14 weeks worth of closures spread across the year, over 15,000 patrons attend performing arts events in 2010, more than in 2009.