Pavilion could become a regional dance centre

A MAJOR Regional Dance Centre could open in Bournemouth Pavilion when restoration work is complete.

Bournemouth Borough Council is considering a proposal to make the Pavilion a dance base led by Dance South West in partnership with others, with studios for courses, classes and professional development.

The centre, which would be located in an extensive area of the ground floor sea-side of the building, would include a 300 seat venue of dance studios and is expected to generate 80,000 additional arts attendances per year. It could also become a venue for international dance festivals.

The announcement is one of a number of developments for the listed building in Westover Road. £13million is being invested in its restoration by the Trevor Osborne Property Group, which is to build a £46million leisure complex next door on the Bath Road North Car Park.

Negotiations with the new administration have resulted in family-friendly additions to the proposals. Plans at the Pavilion, which are subject to planning approval, now include a day spa facility above the ballroom and a larger interval court between the Pavilion and the new building.

Shopmobility has also been proposed for the new leisure building for use throughout the town and promenade and the area to be leased to the casino operator is smaller.

The Council has to decide whether to run the theatre, ballroom and associated areas itself or allow Trevor Osborne to do so, but extensive legal protections are in place to ensure that whatever happens, Council jobs and working conditions are safe.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin, said: “The plans for a Regional Dance Centre are incredibly exciting. It would be the first of its type anywhere in southern England. Given the interest in dance locally and the popularity of TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing, an attraction like this could be very successful in Bournemouth.

“Together with amended plans they fit in well with our priority to provide family friendly attractions and arts provision.

“But there will be a hefty cost implication and we’re looking closely at the figures to work out how much trade the restored Pavilion will realistically generate if we run it in-house and what we can safely afford to do within our budget constraints.”

At the next Cabinet meeting on November 21 councillors will be asked to allocate the 2007/08 revenue budget for the Winter Gardens to enable plans for the Regional Dance Centre to progress. The Centre would cost around £260,000 per year to run but could attract funding from outside bodies.

Meanwhile moves to restore the Pavilion to its 1920s glory are pressing ahead – demolition of a 1960s addition to the West Terrace will start imminently to bring back open air terraces overlooking the Lower Gardens.

The Council is also considering objecting to an application for a casino to open at the former Westover Ice Rink.