Wollongong’s grassy Arts Precinct was looking bare on Friday with council removing a number of seats and Manchurian Pear trees outside the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.

Regulars who use the area for lunch or environmentalists shouldn’t get too upset as the removal is only temporary.

It’s to accommodate Merrigong theatre company’s new venue, the Aurora Spiegeltent, which will host an array of shows for the month of April.

Three-phase power will also be installed which increases options for future concerts and events.

Once the tent is taken down, the seating will be reinstalled and the pear trees replace with four established trees at the corners of the grassed area.

Meantime a free public party will be held Friday April 7 inside the tent with live entertainment, the cast of Velvet and a bar.

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