With the first phase of work to secure its future as a world class arts organisation and venue successfully completed, Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts, is ready to re-open its doors for the autumn season.
“After more than 35 years of delivering an outstanding cultural provision of live performance to Poole and Dorset our ambitions for Lighthouse are high,” says Chief Executive Elspeth McBain. “We are proud to be custodians of this iconic building that offers such an extraordinary resource to our community and we want to look after it well, making sure we can continue to bring some of the best and most creative artists to Poole, presented in a world class venue, with an inspiring and innovative learning and participation programme.”
Due to be finished by autumn 2016 the refresh will radically improve the facilities for artists, audiences, schools and community groups who enjoy, create and present great art at Lighthouse.
The extensive preparatory works that took place during the venue’s annual summer closure have seen a new sound separation wall built between the Cinema and Studio, new sound and lighting equipment installed in the Concert Hall and Theatre and the stages renovated, the choir seats improved in the Concert Hall and a range of technical, electronic and mechanical improvements to the lifts, office systems and induction hearing loop.
“Most of the first phase changes won’t be seen by our audiences, but they are absolutely vital to the continuing success of this landmark building and what goes on inside it,” adds Elspeth. “We are striving to create a building that works as well as it can do and to make it sustainable for the next 15 years.”
