Funding for the new Lyric Players' Theatre in Belfast has been given a boost by Arts and Culture Minister Edwin Poots, who has allocated an additional £3.23 million for the investment project.

With demolition work at the existing Ridgeway Street site underway, theatre-goers in the province can look forward to a new facility, which now has a total £9.23 million investment from Minister Poots’ department.



As the minister symbolically began the demolition of the old Lyric Theatre, which was opened 40 years ago in 1968, he said: "This significant arts project has been in the planning stages for some time and it is very satisfying to see work beginning on site with the demolition of the old theatre.

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The Minister said that through the investment his department was not only helping support the arts in Belfast, but contributing to the economic and social development of Northern Ireland's capital city.

The Minister stressed that the arts play a vital role in the cultural and economic life of Northern Ireland and help to bring in tourists and further investment.

The Lyric vacated their building in March this year and demolition work is due to run between early May and the end of June.

Local firm Gilbert Ash Construction has been selected as the preferred bidders for main contractor on the project and, subject to agreement with the Lyric, is scheduled to begin work on site in June. The new theatre is due to re-open in March 2010. 



Minister Poots said he looked forward to visiting the completed facility in 2010: "I trust that the wider community will benefit from this ambitious project and it will provide more opportunities for our young people to get involved in the arts."

Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Roisín McDonough, who attended the demolition, said: "The Arts Council welcomes the additional funding by DCAL and Belfast City Council which will allow this much needed project to get underway."

The eventual facility will include a 350 seat auditorium, studio space and new office suites. The project was designed by architects O’Donnell and Tuomey, with the development being managed by EC Harris Consultants.

(PR)