A new vigour has been injected into the plans for the Millpool Centre Project, which met for the first time on Saturday in its new format at Caradon District Council, cementing the feeling that the scheme would be to the advantage of the whole of South East Cornwall and not just the town of Looe in which it would be based.
Hopes were dashed that the £6 million project would stand any chance of going ahead when Caradon withdrew its financial support last year but a hard core of commitment has now led to the formal setting up of a new working committee, to be chaired by Looe's Peter Bartram.
The intention is to choose whether to become a charitable trust or a company limited by guarantee, an important step if the project is to stand any chance of attracting grant aid from a source such as Objective One. Steve Angove of the Cornwall Rural Community Council addressed the assembly of about 40 interested people on this topic, and on the suggestion of Mrs Jeanne Rees (Liskeard), it was decided to consider the options before the next meeting on March 18, again at Caradon, when a constitution should also be formed.
There is much support in Looe for such a development as the town has identified that it needs an easily accessible purpose built building to serve a variety of uses for the local community, and in the wider vision to also provide an arts and music centre for the whole of Caradon and for visitors to the area.
Mr Bartram said a multi purpose complex was a sorely needed facility for Looe and for the people of South East Cornwall. 'There isn't a centre for arts, and that is using the word in its widest sense' he said.
Looe Community School's head of music , Mrs Katrina Geraghty, in attendance with the head of art, said the town's youngsters would be sold short if the plan wasn't pushed forward. 'We feel Looe desperately needs a high quality venue for community and arts activities' she said.
Although a previous feasibility study highlighted shortfalls in funding it was felt this would be overcome as the centre would appeal to the many tourists who come to Looe which would help with the running costs.
Among those present were the President, Sir Richard Carew Pole, and three vice presidents - Brenda Arundell, Marjorie Blamey and Robin Teverson.