Fame Academy bid for former Chester school building

Dec 2 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

A ‘FAME Academy’ for young people would complement a reopened Gateway Theatre if a funding bid is successful.

Young people in Chester have their fingers crossed as they anxiously await the outcome of a submission to secure a new £3.3 million state-of-the-art music, art and drama centre.

Connexions-Cheshire and Warrington Limited have put in the bid following the Government’s commitment of £190 million to the development of world class facilities for young people.

The application, which has involved young people at every stage, has gone through the “myplace” fund which is operated by the National Lottery. News of the success, or otherwise, of the bid is expected in February.

The centre, earmarked for the former George Street School, would offer a variety of activities including; make-up studio, music and lighting, dance floor and even a roller-disco, as well as a media suite and a chill-out zone café,

Jenny Banks, development and external funding manager at Connexions-Cheshire and Warrington Limited, said: “The young people of Chester have very clear ideas of what they would want from this centre, and this includes weekend and evening access.Š

“On top of that Connexions staff will be based at the facility and there will be space for a number of agencies to support young people and provide information, advice and guidance when they want it and where they want it to be.”

If the bid is successful the new facility will compliment the current development programme in Chester by being housed in an existing building which will undergo extensive modernisation and refurbishment.

Chester MP Christine Russell wishes the submission every success and will be pleased if the empty George Street building can be reused.

She is still angry at the county council’s decision to sell the building to private developers instead of the YMCA who were evicted. Ms Russell said: “The building has stood empty and is looking more and more derelict.”

Ms Russell spent a recent Friday night with Special constables and met many young people who said they had “nothing to do”. She feels a Fame Academy-type centre would fill this gap.

Ms Russell said another bid for “myplace” money is for replacement youth facilities for the Lache adventure playground which would be located by Lache Primary School.