Work to restore a Belfast landmark is set to begin after the government announced £2m in additional funding for the project yesterday.
The Crescent Arts Centre, based on the University Road, had been a space for performances, classes and a range of arts and cultural activities.
But the run-down state of the building meant that the organisation had to relocate to temporary premise
s last year.
Arts Minister Gregory Campbell visited those premises on the Ormeau Road yesterday, where he made the new funding announcement.
“The Crescent Arts Centre is an excellent facility which places the arts at the centre of the community,” said Mr Campbell.
The extra cash comes on top of a £2.5m award in 2005, and brings the total funding from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to £4.5m – more than half of the £7.5m needed for the project. Other funders include the Arts Council, Heritage Lottery Fund and Environment and Heritage Service.
Rosemary Kelly, chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “This will not only create a vibrant new space, with full accessibility, where people can participate in and enjoy the arts, but will also protect this landmark building.”
The building, which featured on the BBC series Restoration in 2003, is set to reopen in 2010.
The full article contains 221 words and appears in News Letter newspaper.
