The Playhouse to make a splash in Montrose
The cinema is converted from the towns old swimming pool
Film fans in Montrose can rejoice as The Playhouse Project is finally completed and the public can now enjoy blockbuster films on the site of the towns old swimming pool.
The derelict pool has undergone a massive community led transformation and will open its doors to the public on Friday 8 October. They will be treated to Daniel Craig's final outing as 007 in 'No Time to Die'.
Red carpet events for friends, family, sponsors and supporters were held on the 6th and 7th of October ahead of the grand opening.
The Playhouse Project, which began life as a simple regeneration idea for a community cinema in 2013, has evolved over a number of years following huge community interest and involvement.
The idea for the project came from local architect David Paton whose hypothetical design post went viral, resulting in a committee of local volunteers coming together to take forward the initiative and attract funding for the build.
In 2017 after four and a half years of hard work, the committee purchased the disused building from Angus Council for the small sum of £1. They then embarked on a DIY SOS style strip out which saw over 80 volunteers help to strip the building back to a shell saving around £250,000 in value and around six months of time. The conversion works were then scheduled to start in 2020, but were delayed until 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.
The space has now been turned into a multi-dimensional facility and will include an adaptable three screen cinema, education and exhibition space, as well as retail area and a café bar
The Playhouse has set the ethos of social inclusion and will showcase autism and dementia friendly screenings alongside helping to combat social isolation.
Chairman of the Montrose Playhouse Project, David Paton, said: "It's a little bit unbelievable to grasp that we're sitting in the cinema that we started trying to plan out and fundraise for about nine years ago. But it's hugely exciting, I don't think it feels quite real yet. I think when people start to come in tonight that the realisation will hit of what we have done and what we've achieved not just with the committee but the entire community's help."
He also added: "I'm a huge film fan, I have been since I was younger and going to the cinema with my family. I've always thought Montrose could've done with a cinema, even though back in the day they had two or three. Over the years I'd sat and made doodles at home of buildings in the town that I thought could be appropriate for a cinema. But when the old swimming pool on the mall closed down in, I think it was, 2010 or 2011, and I thought well that would be an ideal situation.
"A big open hall, split it into two or three screens and potentially put in a few other spaces as well. When I'd done a design for it I put it on Facebook and within an hour or so there was about 500-600 people liking it and asking me to try and see if it was possible. Within a few weeks we'd run a public consultation in the Park Hotel and we formed a steering group to see how things would progress. A few months later we formed a charity and started looking at how the project would unfold over the years."
Cllr Mark Salmond, the Council’s Convener of Communities and Finance, added: “The transformation of the former pool is a tremendous achievement and I pay tribute to all the Angus Council officers who worked closely with the Playhouse Project Team to ensure their dream became a reality. It is a superb example of council and community working together for the benefit of our citizens.”
Local Filmmaker Anthony Baxter, Director at Montrose Pictures Limited said” The latest Bond film opening back in cinemas is a joyous moment for the return of the big screen. But to have Britain's newest cinema and arts complex open on my own doorstep in Montrose, is the stuff Hollywood dreams are made of.
“The team of volunteers who have worked tirelessly for nearly a decade to make this project a reality, all deserve Oscars for their incredible hard work and dedication. And The Playhouse couldn't be opening at a more crucial moment for the comeback of our historic town.
“I'm so honoured to be a Patron, and as a film fan, can't wait for 007 to unspool in glorious 5.1 surround sound at The Montrose Playhouse!"