October 2010 THEATR COLWYN
The project will be funded with £500,000 from the North Wales Strategic Regeneration Area Programme. Conwy County Borough Council has also agreed funding of £238,000, which means the project to completely redevelop the front of house area will start shortly. The project is part of the Bay Life+ Programme. The venue, which is 125 years old, the oldest cinema in the UK still operating and the oldest theatre in Wales still operating, will be closed until spring next year. The management of Theatr Colwyn is very grateful to the Bay of Colwyn Town Council for their continued financial support of Theatr Colwyn and for the tireless work carried out by The Friends of Theatr Colwyn, which supports and promotes the venue. Cllr Alice Robinson, chair of Theatr Colwyn’s Joint Management Committee, said: “On behalf of the joint management committee of Theatr Colwyn, I am delighted that finally we can look forward to the first stage refurbishment of the theatre, which will include a ramp and lift access to enable people with a disability to access all levels. The entrance will include a new booking office, toilets and an open café/bar on the ground floor, a first floor community room to be used by community groups, and offices. In the basement toilets, storage and an entrance to backstage. We expect this exciting project to be completed by the spring.” Cllr Goronwy Edwards, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “I’m delighted to see work start on Theatr Colwyn; it’s satisfying to see a well-loved community facility benefit from the Assembly’s North Wales Regeneration Area funding. The Council is committed to enhancing and revitalising the Theatre, this project will reaffirm its place in the heart of the community by providing better access and facilities for local people.” Cllr Hazel Meredith, Mayor of Bay of Colwyn, said, “I am thrilled that at last Theatr Colwyn is moving ahead with this redevelopment, as part of the regeneration of Colwyn Bay. My family has been involved in performances at the theatre for many years and it is a great platform to introduce young people to performing. As Mayor of Bay of Colwyn I look forward to it reopening in the spring.” Iwan Davies, Acting Corporate Director said, “The redevelopment of Theatr Colwyn is a key project under the Bay Life+ Programme, alongside the proposals for Parc Eirias, the coastal defence scheme and streetscape works, which together represent a multi-million pound investment. Investment that is providing substantial opportunities, and contributing to the regeneration of town.” Sarah Ecob, general manager, said: “We are delighted with this absolutely wonderful news. The redevelopment of Theatr Colwyn has been planned for many years and it is terrific that we have finally reached the stage where we can set a date for the project to begin. “As custodians of this charming and much-loved Victorian venue we are very much looking forward to giving the building the care and attention it needs and to bringing the Front of House facilities up-to-date to meet the needs of our customers. “We are very grateful to the Welsh Government for giving us this opportunity through SRA funding for Colwyn Bay and also to our colleagues in Conwy County Borough Council which is joint-funding this project. “Fundraising continues to allow us to achieve the full scope of the project that will, eventually, include the rear of house facilities. We would like to thank everyone who has donated so generously to date.” Phil Batty, manager of Theatr Colwyn, said: “I would like to thank all the loyal patrons who support us year on year and the performers who visit us on a regular basis. Closing a theatre, for any amount of time, is never convenient, there’s never a good time to do it. We apologise for this and the inconvenience it may cause, but on a positive note, we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2011 to a venue with vastly improved facilities. “Finally, I would like to thank all of those involved in helping to secure the funds for this redevelopment and also staff at Theatr Colwyn for their patience and hard work during this transition period.” Mr Batty added that the theatre’s website, www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk will remain operational during the redevelopment, so patrons can follow the progress of the build. Barbara Hawley, chair of the Friends of Theatr Colwyn, said: “Theatr Colwyn is a wonderful facility for Colwyn Bay and North Wales. This redevelopment plan means so much to the venue and as chair of the Friends group I would like to say how pleased the Friends are that after so many years Theatr Colwyn is now getting its much needed facelift. “The Friends and volunteers have worked hard over the years to support the theatre and look forward to continuing this important relationship when it reopens next year.” Mrs Hawley added that the fundraising for the theatre would continue to help towards the cost of projects at the venue in the future. The Friends of Theatr Colwyn will continue to hold their monthly coffee mornings at The Fron Community Centre, Old Colwyn, on the first Tuesday of each month at 10.30am.
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