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Eric Baxter • Published 7 Sep 2010 14:00
FIRST Minister Alex Salmond cut the first sod at the site of Inverclyde’s new £10 million arts centre yesterday - and said: “It’s going to look great.”
Scotland’s top politician was joined by entertainer Dorothy Paul in a ceremony to officially launch the exciting project.
Greenock Academy pupil Adam Beck, 11, presented Mr Salmond with a brand new spade to do the honours. As he struggled to break through the soil at the waterfront site, he quipped: “That’s hard ground.”
Mr Salmond said: “This development couldn’t be better. I’ve heard about its progress from my colleague Stuart McMillan MSP and I’m delighted to have the honour of cutting the first sod.
“This is a very important addition to Inverclyde’s regeneration. It should be remembered Greenock has had a tremendous profile in the arts over the years. This centre is a superb concept.
“People will see the centre when they sail down the Clyde and see it as the pride of Greenock.
“The Arts Guild has an impressive track record of delivering high-quality arts activities in Inverclyde.
“Thanks in part to considerable Scottish Government support, the stage is set for this stunning vision to be turned into reality.”
Comedienne Dorothy Paul said she was inivited to the ground breaking because she has appeared at the Guild on a number of occasions. She added: “I always love coming to Greenock and I hope to appear at the new centre if I’m invited.”
Guild chairman Elliott McKelvie, said: “We are delighted to have the First Minister launch the construction phase of our exciting project.”
The new centre should be completed in around 18 months time and will sit beside the historic Custom House as a showpiece part of the district’s regeneration.
It will house a 500-seat main auditorium, together with a 130-seat studio theatre, rehearsal rooms and a riverside café bar.
It is jointly funded by Greenock Arts Guild, Creative Scotland, Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde and the Big Lottery Fund.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 07 Sep 10
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