Albany Ent Cent to be opened today

The Albany Entertainment Centre will be officially opened tonight, several months after the state government came to the rescue of the Albany City Council to fund the venue to the tune of almost $4 million for the next two years.

The government also ordered that the centre be managed and operated by the Perth Theatre Trust through its agent AEG Ogden for two years.

The state government has invested $70 million in the facility in partnership with the local council.

Today, Culture and Arts Minister John Day said the opening of the centre was a major step forward in the cultural and social development of the Great Southern.

"As well as providing a fantastic venue for local and regional performers and companies, a facility of this quality and size will ensure that first-class artists and performers from across Australia, and even overseas, can be enticed to perform in Albany," said Mr Day.

Mr Day said there had been significant positive feedback about the centre, which had already attracted bookings from local, State and national touring companies for 2011.

"The fully-booked Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra simulcast last month was highly successful and the recent community open day attracted close to 7,000 people," he said.

"Representatives of the State's premier arts organisations, who visited the venue recently, were also extremely impressed and very excited about the possibilities it offers.

"I'm sure the people of Albany and the Great Southern will embrace this wonderful facility and the opportunities and benefits it will bring to the entire region," he said.

The AEC features the 620-seat Princess Royal Theatre, the flexible 200-seat Kalyenup Studio, and a cafe overlooking the harbour.