Minutes:
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 9th January, it had agreed to receive at a future meeting a presentation on the proposed restoration and development of the Grand Opera House.
It was reported that Mr. I. Wilson, Chief Executive of the Grand Opera House, and Mr. J. D’Arcy, Deputy Chair of the Grand Opera House Trust, were in attendance and they were welcomed by the Chairperson.
Mr. Wilson informed the Committee that the Grand Opera House, which had opened on 23rd December, 1895, was regarded as one of the finest examples of nineteen century theatre architecture. He highlighted the unique relationship which had developed between the Grand Opera House and the people of Belfast over the years and pointed out that in 2018:
· the theatre had attracted a total audience of 300,000 across 400 performances;
· 78,000 people had attended a pantomime;
· 56,000 schoolchildren had viewed a show;
· 55,000 people had attended shows which had been produced in Belfast;
· there had been 6,500 participants in the theatre’s Creative Learning Programme; and
· 1,000 people had registered for the Theatre’s Access for All scheme.
He reported that the Grand Opera House had last been restored in the late 1970s and that, for the past five years, the Grand Opera House Trust had been planning an ambitious restoration and development project, with a view to securing the asset for future generations. The project would include the restoration of the auditorium’s plasterwork and of the glass extension facing onto Great Victoria Street, the upgrade of air handling equipment and technical infrastructure and the replacement of seats and the stage curtains within the auditorium. Facilities for theatre-goers would be enhanced by, for example, improving disability access and toilet provision and the Act II front-of-house space would be re-modelled to incorporate a permanent exhibition celebrating the many famous people who had performed in the theatre.
Mr. Wilson added that the restoration and development project, which was scheduled to commence early in 2020, would take approximately ten months to complete. During that time, the Grand Opera Trust would undertake an extensive outreach and education programme, involving talks, tours, workshops and events across Northern Ireland. He concluded by pointing out that the project would support the aims of the Belfast Agenda and would contribute to the local economy and the City’s tourism and cultural offering.
Mr. D’Arcy explained that the restoration and development project would cost in the region of £12.17 million, with the Grand Opera House Trust contributing £4.2 million and the National Lottery Heritage Fund £4.8 million. A further £500k had been secured from charities/foundations and it was hoped that a public fundraising campaign and in-kind contributions, through volunteer time, would generate a further £920k. Of the £1.5 million still required, the Department for Communities and the Council were being requested to allocate £1 million and £750k respectively.
The Strategic Director of Place and Economy informed the Committee that the Director of Finance and Resources had confirmed that no budgetary provision had been made within the current financial year to meet the request from the Grand Opera House Trust.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Alderman Kingston,
Seconded by Alderman McGimpsey,
That the Committee is supportive of the Grand Opera House restoration and development project and agrees to recommend to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee that significant funding be allocated to the project.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Beattie,
Seconded by Councillor O’Donnell,
That the Committee is supportive of the Grand Opera House restoration and development project and agrees that the request for funding for the project be referred to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.
On a vote by show of hands nine Members voted for the amendment and eight against and it was declared carried.
The amendment was thereupon put to the Committee as the substantive motion and passed.