THE WA Circus School is emerging as another potential partner for the Fly by Night.

The school has been living on borrowed time in the Old Customs Building on Phillimore Street, deep in the West End, after being told by landlord Artsource to vacate by June 2012. Unable to find an alternative venue it has been given several extensions.

Fly executive director John Reid told the Herald he’d made overtures to the circus school a couple of years ago, but hadn’t heard back.

With WACS workshops usually during the day when the Fly is unused, he says the two “community” organisations could make a great team, particularly as they share many values.

The National Trust’s decision to call for expressions of interest for the heritage-listed drill hall has again piqued his interest in the idea and when the Herald called WACS secretary Ros de Souza this week she was sitting on a text from Mr Reid.

Ms de Souza said she hadn’t yet responded, but after hearing about his interest said the idea was worth looking into.

The organisations will have to move fast, as Ms de Souza says the school is undergoing due diligence on three potential properties and is expecting to make a decision by the end of the month.

“I can’t really say anything about them, but one of them is external to Fremantle and the other two are internal.”
The Herald understands one is the old Bond Store at the end of the old traffic bridge.

Ms de Souza says WACS is going strong at the moment, with a new board that includes businesswoman Kerry Maddestra. “The focus is going to be a game-changer and we’re looking at being able to stand on our own two feet.”

She says the community has rallied behind the organisation, particularly after the closure of Deckchair and Kulcha. The school recently organised three fundraisers and despite the $100 tickets they were all packed. Some folk attended all three performances, the last at the J-Shed last Sunday.

“People know we’re valuable,” Ms de Souza said.

by STEVE GRANT