Lyric cash boost will help make it a theatre of dreams

3.07.00pm GMT Fri 23rd Nov 2007

Alliance Arts and Leisure Spokespersom Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Arts and Leisure Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has hailed news that the Foundation for Sport and the Arts has committed to providing £250,000 of funding towards the new Lyric theatre. The cash will go towards facilities for young people

The Strangford MLA said: "I am very pleased about the good news for the Lyric Theatre. This cash will help get more young people involved in the arts and will broaden their outlook on life. This money will help make the Lyric a theatre of dreams for our local young people.

"It has been a long struggle for the Lyric to raise the cash needed to build the exciting new theatre and I hope that they can meet their target.

"Today's news will boost the whole community, and this funding will help as part of a wider scheme to maximise the potential of the local arts sector.

"This boost does not however give the Minister Edwin Poots an excuse to further minimise arts funding. The arts sector get very raw deal at the moment and should be better funded as it is an important part of our tourism business plan."

ENDS