A FILM director who grew up in North Dorset has revealed to councillors his ambitious plan to create an arts quarter in Blandford town centre.
Jon Ivay, who wrote and directed the 2008 movie Freebird, told a meeting of the town council of his scheme to build a cinema and theatre complex, with a small art gallery, behind the town’s museum in Bere’s Yard, next to the Victorian Garden.
The 45-year-old, who has worked in the theatre business for more than 18 years, explained to councillors on Monday evening that the creation of an arts centre at the site would complement the existing attractions and help create a cultural quarter the town could be proud of.
Chairman of Blandford Forum Town Council Councillor Esme Butler told how the council was looking at ways to incorporate a cultural venue in the town, capable of showing films, possibly as part of plans to renovate the Corn Exchange.
But she added that the Fording Point project, which Mr Ivay estimated would cost between £638,000 and £700,000, was well received and would be placed on the agenda for consultation at the next meeting of the full town council.
“People in the area have been talking about building a cultural venue in the town for the community since I was a teenager,” said Mr Ivay, who now lives in Spetisbury.
“The town has expanded and grown and it’s now ready. It won’t happen overnight and if supported by the town council would take a couple of years to complete. ”
Cllr Butler said: “Any new scheme or community project is looked at with interest by the town council.”
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