WHAT WE NEED
We believe that new and improved performing arts facilities would make a positive impact on the health, wellbeing and social capital of our whole community.
Lymm has a thriving arts scene. There is a wide range of community arts groups and some outstanding provision at local primary and secondary schools. However, Lymm and the surrounding area is fundamentally constrained by a long-term lack of investment in decent infrastructure, facilities and equipment.
- Performing arts groups in the community use local venues such as hotels, church halls, village halls, scout and guide lodges, and some facilities at Lymm High School like its main hall. But these facilities are often too small, lack necessary equipment, and are in demand for many other purposes as well.
- Lymm does not have a large, flexible performance space, which severely constrains the Lymm Festival in the performers it can bring to the area. The festival organisers have to hire expensive sound equipment, lighting and staging at considerable expense.
- Lymm doesn’t have suitable rehearsal venues for choirs, bands and music groups. The ones currently used have poor acoustics. Some groups have to go outside Lymm to use facilities in Warrington, Manchester or Liverpool to rehearse and perform. This can hamper participation, especially for those without their own transport.
- Lymm doesn’t have a proper dance studio with enough space, a sprung floor, floor to ceiling mirrors and a sound system. This means dance groups rehearse and perform in places that are far from ideal.
- Lymm has no venue with proper facilities to show films.
- Lymm High School and the primary schools provide some fantastic drama, music, dance and other arts – but their facilities limit what they can do. Some productions have to use venues in Warrington or elsewhere for this reason.
- Lymm High School has had no capital investment in the performing arts for decades. The school’s main hall is very traditional and seats about 300. It has a small stage and no backstage facilities. It also doubles as the school’s main dining hall. Performing art teaching facilities are fragmented across the school site. It has much less than the teaching space recommended by national guidelines for school provision of 1,900 students.