New look arts and cultural centre gets seal of approval

19 Apr 2006

Revised plans for an arts and cultural centre at Southbank, Kirkintilloch have been welcomed by leading members of East Dunbartonshire’s arts community. The group, made up of over forty representatives, met recently for a special preview evening of the new plans, which have been prepared to secure extra funding.

Kirkintilloch’s Initiative (KI) has been working closely with local arts and community representatives over the last few years to bring forward plans that will deliver a first class arts centre for the town. Since original consultations, the drawings showing how the building could look have experienced a number of changes. This has been necessary to make sure the project is affordable and capable of meeting a potential grant from the Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund of up to £1.7M.
While the look of the building has changed, the size and proposed facilities provided inside will remain the same. This includes a 300 seat theatre, exhibition space, bar and kitchen, dance facility, recording studio, committee rooms and dressing rooms. Once complete it will provide an ideal venue for a wide range of theatrical, community, musical and dance events.
During the preview evening members of the arts community were given the opportunity to discuss the drawings, prepared by award winning architects Page and Park. Joan Riddell, project champion for the arts and cultural centre, explained:
“The new design is much simpler than previous proposals but allows for the creation of a building that is clearly focussed on the delivery of the arts programme. There were a few mixed opinions expressed about the changes as many people found the original plans very attractive. However, we are confident that the revised plans will still allow us to deliver an ambitious cultural programme.”

“The positive response we received from the arts community has assured us that we are moving in the right direction and we will continue to take the plans forward. We hope that local residents will find the proposals just as contemporary and exciting.”

Iain Carmichael, Community Representative, added:
“Everybody involved in revising the proposals have been working very hard against a difficult set of deadlines. They have a done a great job and we would like to thank them for shaping plans for an arts and cultural centre that will provide a superb focus for both professional and amateur arts provision in the area as well as adding to the amenity of the Southbank complex.”
KI will now finalise all the arrangements to present the proposals to the Scottish Arts Council. Subject to a successful presentation it is hoped that all of the funding commitments will be in place by June of this year. Planning applications are due to be considered in Autumn 2006, with a view to the construction work starting during 2007.
Once the planning submissions are complete the drawings will be put on public display and showcased on the Kirkintilloch’s Initiative website, www.k-eye.co.uk.