Cr Smith received the keys from building contractor David Payne taking official ownership of the first completed A Class, full size theatre to use steel a frame and tilt panel wall construction in the world.

"After nearly 30 years of debating, finally Dubbo has a tiered theatre – this is a great moment in the city’s history," Cr Smith said.

"On Tuesday August 26 2003, the Daily Liberal ran an article and carried it on the front page of the paper. The headline was ‘What sort of town is this?’ Big question. The sub-headline read ‘No museum, no art gallery, no theatre, no council headquarters, no football grandstand…and now a leading library.’ They challenged us. They gave us a task… Task complete."

A proud project manager, Mick Wilson, took the media for a walk through of the centre yesterday.

"This theatre construction cost 13 and a half million, Port Macquarie cost 50 million, down south cost 30 million and they’ve got no better than us," he said.

More than 90 per cent of subcontractors employed during construction of the theatre were local to the central west and more than $3.5 million worth of material for the project was purchased locally, Cr Smith said.

Dubbo Artz president Leonie Ward presented the mayor with a cheque for $150,000, paying for the tiered seating.

"We’re very, very excited and thrilled that this amazing venue is now officially part of the Dubbo venues on offer," Ms Ward said.

"It’s been a long, hard road. For 10 years I’ve been involved in the lobbying."

CHECK OUT OUR NEW THEATRE