Winter Gardens - Lib Dem plan

The Lib Dems have worked hard to see if there is a way to save the Winter Gardens building. When the Winter Gardens Trust were unable to provide a business case and significant investment this year it was realised that no more could be done.

This prime site in the town centre could be used for luxury flats, as the Conservatives want, or could be used for a purpose built arts centre, meeting the needs of residents, visitors and local arts groups. The Lib Dems in Bournemouth have voted for the arts centre, as one part of a plan to stop the town centre at night being just clubs and bars.

So after years of debate, consultation and independent advice the Council has accepted keeping the building would place too large a cost on local council taxpayers and would not meet modern needs. Instead a new, purpose built arts centre on the site, designed to meet a wide range of needs now and into the future has been agreed as the way forward.

The ideas in the new Winter Gardens scheme include:

• two theatres - one with around 200-300 seats and one with around 400-600, with the ability to jointly provide capacity for upto 1,000 people

• a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Music Education Centre

• a rehearsal room, music equipment, multimedia recording and editing studio for classes and workshops for all ages

• an Art House cinema

• outdoor performance space with bar, cafe and restaurant facilities

more information

Bournemouth Council.

Lib Dem vision for Bournemouth town centre.

Latest news

Tue 24th Apr 2007:

Leading arts organisations speak out in support of new Winter Gardens.

Lib Dem proposals for a unique arts performance and education centre have been backed by leading arts organisations in deputations to Bournemouth Council.

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