Atherton Performing Arts Theatre (WWII Igloo)

As you drive around the Atherton Tablelands, you may notice a number of igloo structures. They are remnants of the occupation of the American and Australian servicemen were trained in jungle warfare, before being sent to the islands north of Australia in WWII. This steel-framed igloo in Silo Street Atherton is about half the size of the timber-framed Merriland Hall igloo in the nearby Showgrounds. This building was designed by American firm ARMCO which in partnership with Australia’s Lysaghts, established a steel works in Port Kembla. This igloo was originally erected at Tolga in 1943 by the 13th Australian Advance Ordnance Depot. The building was purchased by the Atherton Maize Marketing Board and moved here in 1945, adjacent to their maize silos. Between 1958 and 1979, the building was used by the Atherton Shire Council as a depot. The Atherton Performing Arts group began using the igloo in 1979. A stage was installed in 1982 and the building has been continually upgraded. Its uses include: youth theatre, concerts, plays, musicals, poetry readings, musical instrumental events and Eisteddfods. This building is rare as one of only two known surviving ARMCO 30m by 12m igloos; the other located at Dutton Street Cairns.