Earlier this month it was announced that the Arts Centre would receive £2.9 million from the fund, which was established to support the economy during the pandemic.
A grant of £2.2 million will also be given to the Jersey Opera House.
Arts Centre director Daniel Austin has confirmed they hope that key works which will put the Benjamin Meaker theatre out-of-action for up to ten weeks will be accomplished in a window from late July to mid September, when the centre has traditionally offered open-air activities at other venues.
This year it has expanded slightly that period and has asked the touring theatre company Oddsocks to extend its visit to the Island by a week to offer a daytime summer school for up to 50 students, while allowing its stage in Coronation Park to be used for acoustic music in the evening .
‘We are very confident that, provided everything runs smoothly, the bulk of the work can be achieved during that period, although refurbishment of rooms could be done in the autumn over weekends, if necessary,’ Mr Austin said, adding that the money provided through the Fiscal Stimulus Fund would be applied in three ways.
‘It allows us to address items detailed in two condition reports that were prepared for us in 2019. The main item was a mechanical and electrical report, and probably half of the funding will go to addressing those issues.
‘The second thing is that it allows us to invest in a number of capital items – for example new lantern stock and a new scissor-lift to rig lanterns, tabs and curtains and scenery.
‘And the third thing is that it allows us to refurbish a number of the public areas, including the Maria Ritchie room, corridors and some parts of the auditorium,’ Mr Austin explained.
He added that while regular maintenance had been carried out on the Phillips Street building, it was now 38 years since the first phase of the centre was opened to the public,
so there was a need to look at fundamental aspects such as wiring and the condition of the roof of the craftblock.
It is the one original part of the building that still stands from the days that it accommodated the Education Department’s catering school.
