Launching this weekend, the Pavilion Dance development is a unique partnership between Dance South West, Arts Council England and the Council, with £3.29 million investment from the local authority.

From a previously disused space we now have a marvellous new dance floor in the Seafront Studio at the Pavilion. Pavilion Dance is also part of Bournemouth Borough Council’s Town Centre Vision, which will bring new life to the town centre through major regeneration projects.

Facilities include two dance studios, a 200-seat theatre and first class backstage facilities. It also has access to the Pavilion’s main theatre and to the largest ballroom on the south coast, thanks to an operating agreement with BH Live – the town’s new leisure and cultural trust.

It is creating scores of new jobs and providing opportunities for thousands of people to enjoy dance performances and even have a go themselves.

I believe that Pavilion Dance will put Bournemouth on the map as a key destination for dance and that is something we can all be proud of.

From health and fitness on land to improving sporting opportunities on water, the Council is currently working with Westover Rowing Club to relocate the historic club which will enable it to provide 21st century facilities on the seafront.

I am delighted the club is willing to work with us to make this happen and I couldn’t put it better myself when Club President, Carl McCrudden says, “...with the full support of British Rowing, the Council and a fundraising campaign we hope we will be able to create a new Rowing Club and Sea Sports Facility that will be the pride of Bournemouth”.

Today the Council officially receives an award for its work in rejuvenating Boscombe seafront, from the South West region of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The Council beat off stiff competition from projects in Plymouth and Bristol to take the title. Not only did the Boscombe Spa Village Project receive the Regeneration award, it also won Best Project of the Year from arguably one of the most prestigious organisations for construction, design and engineering.

Boscombe seafront has been transformed and now enjoys thousands more visitors each year. We now have to work hard on bringing improvements to the rest of Boscombe and I am delighted that projects focusing on environmental improvements to the Crescent area are being planned.

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!