Residents and visitors to Blackwood can’t fail to have noticed that work is well and truly underway on the £750,000 revamp at Blackwood Miners’ Institute.
Having been clad in scaffolding for some time while cleaning and re-pointing of the main façade took place, the exterior makeover was unveiled recently when the scaffolding was taken down.
A brand new seating unit is currently being installed in the main auditorium, and redecoration of the entrance foyer is also in progress. Works are also currently ongoing to replace internal fire doors and repair defective flooring, as well as a complete roof replacement to make the building weather-tight.
Cllr Phil Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning said, “It’s fantastic to see that works are progressing at the much loved ‘Stute – the improvement works to the external façade of the building have given it a real makeover, and I greatly look forward to seeing the internal improvement works as they near completion”.
He continued, “Blackwood Miners’ Institute, which next month celebrates its twentieth anniversary of becoming a theatre, is very much a beacon for first class live music, theatre, arts and other community facilities in Caerphilly county borough, and these excellent improvement works will help ensure that this continues to be the case for many years to come”.
Last June, the council’s Cabinet approved the £750,000 improvement works to give the ‘Stute a new bill of health.
The next phase of works will be to install showering facilities and improve the changing rooms, and to demolish the Lesser Hall to the rear of the ‘Stute to help improve vehicle access to the building.
While works are ongoing, Blackwood Miners’ Institute remains very much open for business as usual.
For a full programme of forthcoming events, please visit www.blackwoodminersinstitute.com or call the Box Office on 01495 227 206.
