The names of festival-theatre director, the late Domenic Mico, and popular ACT arts minister, the late Bill Wood, have been given jointly to the Wood-Mico Theatre, launched on Friday at Tuggeranong Arts Centre.

The theatre has recently seen a $2 million upgrade, the first major refurbishment since its bipartisanship opening in 1998 by Wood and his political counterpart, Gary Humphries.

While the centre reports new seating, carpet, stage drapes and acoustic panelling, a cursory glance will not reveal many changes, but there is a new dressing room with full-scale make-up mirrors and digital screens, as well as improved digital projection equipment, lighting, and audio systems.

The centre was originally conceived by Tuggeranong Community Arts and funds were raised through performances, quiz nights and other events organised by the organisation’s then-CEO, Mico, before under Wood’s watch, a portion of the Canberra Casino premium was set aside for the centre’s construction.

Mico then left to head up to Canberra International Multicultural Festival. Under the watch of its first CEO, Evol McLeod, the arts centre became a hub of live theatre, a tradition carried on by Mico on his return 10 years later as CEO.

Present-day CEO, Caroline Downer, has now revived a focus on the performing arts so the upgrades are expected to give the theatre a new lease on life.

Recollect, an exhibition highlighting the art collection of the late Bill Wood and his artist wife Beverly will be held at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, September 12-October 11.