Music college could close

Rockingham’s Castlerock Institute of Music could be forced to close its doors because a shortage of money has prevented the owners from completing essential renovations.

Husband and wife team Paul and Tzudi Weir, who bought the Dixon Road recording studio 11 years ago, claimed the City of Rockingham threatened to close the business down, if building regulations set out for schools and colleges were not met immediately.

Mr Weir said work had already begun to renovate the recording studio-turned-college but it needed improved disabled access, electrical rewiring, new lighting, insulation and ventilation.

Compulsery works also included a new staircase and various other improvements, all at great expense.

“We’ve already borrowed $100,000 to try to get this work finished as quickly as possible — we’ve been knocking down walls, putting in doors — everything we can do to make sure we don’t have to close,” he said.

“But the costs are just so high — we’d need another $100,000 to get it finished.

“We don’t qualify for any government grants or funding because we are a private business.”

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels confirmed City officers were working with Castlerock Institute of Music on a number of building related items.

Mr Weir, who works as a producer at Castlerock, said the couple believed the building met educational standards when they purchased it in 2002, but were surprised to find it was not the case.

“Right now we’ve become builders — if we didn’t, the work just couldn’t happen because we can’t afford to pay for tradesmen,” he said.

“It means we are losing out on time working with the kids.”

Castlerock facilitator, Mrs Weir, said more than 100 musicians were involved in the institute’s programs.

“Many of the young people who come here need mentoring — we are providing a service that gives kids direction and gives them the confidence and training to go on to become professional musicians,” she said.