Original article by the North Wales Weekly News, October 19, 2016
Have Your Say On New Conwy Culture Centre
Plans for the new Culture Centre in the town of Conwy will be on public display.
The project aims to build an area library for Conwy, Deganwy and Llandudno Junction, a home for our archive and museum collections, a café and space for community, art and youth activities on the site of the old Bodlondeb School on Bangor Road, with a planning application due to be submitted before the end of the year
The centre is intended as a community heritage hub where visitors will be able to research their ancestry and enjoy historical workshops, exhibitions and events and be signposted to the many other sites of historical interest throughout Conwy County Borough.
The development phase of the project has been funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Schools, youth groups, existing customers and potential users have been consulted as part of the initial process.
Young people asked were interested in being able to take part in art projects. Adults would like to learn about, handle and work with historical collections and would like to see family friendly events and activities.
The plan which includes disabled parking will go on public view in Conwy Library. The new building is set to replace Conwy Castle Street building, as well as the present archive building in Lloyd Street, Llandudno.
Cllr Chris Hughes Cabinet Member for Communities, said: 'This is am exciting project for Conwy and the area,, so it is important as many people view these plans as possible'.
'The centre will be a cultural hub, which adds to the tourist destinations in Conwy. People living in Conwy and people visiting will be able to explore and investigate what role their ancestors had in the area'.
Despite the old Bodlondeb school being of Victorian origin, it is not considered to be architecturally valuable. It is hoped that the new low-lying building will offer a more elegant and pleasing aesthetic, blending better with the surrounding Bodlondeb Park.
The Council's project team is now revisiting the designs and taking view of public opinion.
The designs and draft planning application will be available to view at Conwy Library from November 1-29 and at www.conwy.gov.uk/culturecentre
Janet said:
'I am pleased that the centre proposes to bring together our library and archive services, which should benefit locals and researchers alike'.
'It is good news that the proposal is promising to include a community heritage hub'.
'Such a centre, promoting both family and local history would be an asset to both we the people of Aberconwy and tourists. I would hope that the centre could be used to improve all of our awareness of the great wealth of history that characterises our landscape and home. Well known examples range from the founding of Conwy Castle by King Edward I in 1284, and the translation of the Welsh Bible by William Morgan of Ty Mawr Wybrnant, Penmachno, in the 1580's. However, Aberconwy has much more to offer and explore, such as Pen y Gaer - the site of a Bronze and Iron age Hill fort near Llanbedr-y-Cennin, and Llanrhychwyn Church: the oldest in Wales!'
'Given my interest in History, especially that of Aberconwy, I have become a strong supporter and follower of the archive service in Lloyd Street, Llandudno. It has been with fascination that I have read their contributions to the North Wales Weekly News. It follows that bringing the archive together with the library and a heritage centre can only be beneficial to all, and hopefully result in greater appreciation and awareness of the important work carried out by the archive service'.