From baths to blockbusters

Final tour of pool as ambitious plans for ‘cultural heart’ start to take shape

The public was given a final chance to look around a former Angus swimming pool on Saturday before it is transformed into a cinema and “cultural heart”.

Just weeks after the Montrose Playhouse Project got its hands on the keys to the empty Mall building after sealing a £1 deal with Angus Council, the open day signalled the official launch of a crowdfunding campaign.

A team of local tradesmen and DIY enthusiasts have volunteered to help strip the building back to a shell before renovations can start.

A campaign to raise £15,000 was launched to cover the cost of equipment, materials and health and safety gear.

Residents and visitors were also given the chance to take a final tour of the building and see how plans will play out.

David Paton, chairman of the dedicated group behind the £2.5 million project, said: “We’re humbled and excited about getting to this stage.

“Since we received the keys a few weeks back things seem to have snowballed. Our supporters are incredible and they really show there is a need for this facility in the town.

“This campaign will help us raise money for the ‘DIY SOS’ strip-out to buy

“We’re humbled and excited about getting to this stage. since we received the keys a few weeks back things seem to have snowballed

materials and hire equipment to help keep the 60-odd volunteers we have signed up safe.

“It’s great to see so many local tradesman, DIY enthusiasts and also general public offering help for this event, so we hope people from all round Angus and the area will get involved and donate.

“If everyone on our Facebook page pledged £5 then we would hit our target easily.”

The DIY SOS strip-out event will run over several weekends and a full week in December.

On opening times, Mr Paton said: “Personally, I have a goal of December 2019 so we can show Star Wars Episode 9. That gives us two years.

“But don’t hold me to that.”

Mr Paton said they were also trying to get the message across that “the Playhouse is not just a cinema”.

“The facility will have the full range of cinema experiences such as 3D and live screenings but each screen will have a secondary use and we will also have multi-use rooms for community and conference space, exhibitions, classes and lots more.

“As a whole we hope the Playhouse will become the cultural heart of the area and bring in people to the town.”

The group is holding its second outdoor cinema event in the pool car park at the rear of the building on Saturday October 21 with showings of the original Ghostbusters and Jaws at 6.30pm and 9pm respectively.

People can pledge by going to crowdfunder.co.uk/montroseplayhouse-project-scio-diy-sos

gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk