News and Events
First glimpse of Doncaster�s new performance venue
28th Jul 2010
The focal point of the sleek glass-fronted design is the stylish main entrance that is accessed from the public square. �Hand-crafted copper gives the building warmth, while the glass frontage showcases the internal aspects giving the building a friendly, welcoming feel.
Detailed design work on the internal configuration is now underway.
The concept behind the venue is to offer something for everyone. A wide and varied programme of events is planned and with numerous performing spaces and facilities available for anyone to use, the venue will be a popular destination.
A 600 seat main auditorium, on two levels to make sure audiences are close to the action, will have excellent sight lines to the stage and be large enough to attract high profile acts and performers. A second flexible space catering for up to 200 people seated or 400 standing will have a wide range of uses thanks to its multi-functional design. Dance and drama studios, and two first-class rehearsal/meeting/education spaces and a lively bar and caf�, will ensure the venue caters for all needs and tastes.
Councillor Cynthia Ransome, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Regulatory/Customer Services, said: "These exciting designs show how Doncaster�s venue is going to become one of the most talked about venues in the country. With its multi-use concept and diverse programme, which builds on the work of the popular HotHouse Festival, it will be something really special.
�With performances varying from live music and family entertainment to contemporary dance and drama, the in-built flexibility will become the norm for other venues to aspire to.
�Whether you are an aspiring performer, a visitor to a show, want to learn about the performing arts industry or simply looking for a place to chill out and enjoy a drink, this venue will be the place to be.�
Councillor Jonathan Wood, Cabinet Member for Business
and Regeneration, said: "The venue will play a pivotal role in the
Doncaster�s new Civic and Cultural Quarter and
with a fair wind will raise the profile of the town on a regional and national
level. It will boost the local economy by driving growth in the Creative
Industries sector and seeks to deliver physical regeneration in the town centre.
These economic, cultural and leisure benefits will cascade right across the
borough."
The venue will be open during the day and into the evening and
is expected to attract impressive numbers of visitors. This will play an
important role in the town's thriving tourism and leisure economy and act as a
catalyst for the regeneration in other parts of the town
centre.
A
reserved matters planning application for the new performance venue has been
submitted to the local Planning Authority. Once planning consent has been
granted, Muse Developments, the council�s development partner, will start the
tender process to identify the building contractor. Construction of the new
venue is scheduled to begin in 2011 with the venue opening its doors in spring
2013.
Earlier this year, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward
pledged �9.1million of funding for the venue. This grant was part of a
�16.6million package of funding from Yorkshire Forward for the CCQ project. Arts
Council England has contributed �2million of money from the National Lottery and
is also providing �100,000 of revenue funding per
year.
Cluny Macpherson, Regional Director of Arts Council England, said: �Arts Council England is delighted to be a partner in this exciting project. Doncaster is home to some fantastic artists and arts organisations, and now will have a first class venue to be proud of. Our lottery investment of over �2 million will give many more people in Doncaster the opportunity to experience great art.
�We are also supporting the new venue with revenue funding and have also funded the fantastic Hothouse Festival, an event that has demonstrated Doncaster�s appetite for high quality and diverse arts events.�
Specialist theatre architects, Arts Team RHWL have worked up the designs for the new venue and urban design specialists Whitelaw Turkington have been commissioned to design the new public space in front of the venue.
Arts Team Director, Suzie Bridges, said: �Our design takes its inspiration from the best of Doncaster�s heritage and the council�s exciting brief for the venue.� We want to create a restrained and elegant cast stone and glass exterior that reveals the energy and drama of the innovative performance spaces within.� We are delighted to be working on such an exciting project and one that is so important to the regeneration of the area.�
The CCQ project is supported financially by both Central Government and the European Union, as part of the European Regional Development Fund�s support for the region�s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.
Notes to editors
The artist impression is a night view across the public square towards the new performance venue.
- Doncaster Council�s Cabinet approved the Stage D designs for the venue on Wednesday, 16 June 2010.
- The new venue has been developed in partnership with Doncaster College, the Doncaster voluntary arts sector and Arts Council England.
- The CCQ project is expected to deliver benefits to the local and sub-regional economy of over �60million per annum, create about 1,300 jobs once open and around 265 jobs during construction.
- Arts Team is a part of Renton Howard Wood Levin LLP and specialises in buildings for the performing arts.� For further information contact Sarah Walsh at the Arts Team on 020 7480 1500 or [email protected]
Yorkshire and The Humber ERDF Programme 2007-2013
- The regional ERDF Programme is managed by Yorkshire Forward on behalf of a regional partnership including the National Government, European Commission and Regional bodies.
- The programme provides �583 million from the European Regional Development Fund to invest in the region by 2013 with �271m for South Yorkshire and �312m for the rest of the region. South Yorkshire has extra resources to help with its transition from its earlier Objective 1 status.
- Further information about the ERDF Programme in Yorkshire and The Humber is available at www.yorkshire-forward.com/erdf
The first phase of this mixed use development which will redevelop the 25 acre brownfield site on the south side of Doncaster�s town centre includes:
- New civic offices and Council Chamber, which will provide residents with a convenient one-stop shop for most council services.
- A state-of-the-art new performance venue.
- Doncaster�s first public square.
- A possible four-star boutique hotel, which brings the former Girls School on the corner of Chequer Road back to life.
- Changes to the road infrastructure with College Road being opened up to Chequer Road. Waterdale Road will also become pedestrian friendly.
- The first of several residential developments that will bring quality town centre living back into Doncaster.
The remaining�three phases of work will include:
- A new library and art showcase area, a new, high quality swimming pool and leisure facility, further town centre housing, commercial offices, additional parking provision, further leisure-related developments
For more information contact:
Write to: Doncaster Council,1st Floor, Council House, College Road, Doncaster DN1 3AJ
Telephone: 01302 862351
Email: [email protected]
