Plans to transform an old school building in Dalbeattie have received a huge boost.
Birchvale Players are looking to create a new community hub in the former St Peter’s Primary.
And their efforts have been backed by the Holywood Trust which handed them a £50,000 grant.
Birchvale Players chairman Steven Carruthers said: “We are aiming to deliver a first class facility for Dalbeattie and this news is a tremendous step in the right direction.”
Karen Boyd Ward from the trust handed over the cheque during rehearsals for Rapunzel which could be the last panto in the group’s current premises at Birchvale Theatre.
Karen said: “The group has exciting plans and we particularly wanted to support their work with young people. It’s great to see such enthusiasm and commitment.”
Birchvale Players were handed the property for £1 under a council asset transfer earlier this year with the estimated cost of refurbishment put at £433,000.
Detailed plans to create a new space for theatre and film and a community hub are almost ready to be submitted to the council. The plans are designed to be carried out in stages with the first phase including an auditorium, changing rooms and parking so that Birchvale Players and other groups can move in.
Grant applications to other organisations have already been made with an outline timetable and fundraising targets to be unveiled early in the New Year.
At the moment, they are busy rehearsing their Rapunzel panto, which starts on Friday, November 29. and goes through to Saturday, December 7.
