"A theatre now, or no theatre for another generation"
The calls for a theatre in Tramore have been ongoing for some time.
The long-running campaign to establish a theatre venue in Tramore continues, with representatives behind the project directing criticism at Waterford City and Council for not backing the project.
Currently, Tramore has no dedicated community theatre or arts space.
The project to develop a new space is being driven by the Tramore Area Community Theatre (TACT) group.
This week, the TACT group expressed disappointment that Waterford Council failing to seize what the organisation describes as “a once in a lifetime opportunity to finally deliver a dedicated theatre for Tramore".
“A theatre now, or no theatre for another generation at least," said the group in a statement this week.
A completed feasibility study by Denis Byrne architects was finalised almost two years ago.
The group say that this study identified multiple council-owned sites suitable for a theatre development, and noted that even beyond those listed, there are further sites around the town that could be made available immediately on a long-term lease.
Meanwhile, the group's proposal for a theatre at the Tramore Train Station site was rejected.
“The allotments show how long council-controlled projects can take, but a theatre could begin now if the Council chose to act,” said the group in their statement.
The group have also said that the Council had “demonstrated no vision, no imagination, and most damaging of all, no ambition for the future of Tramore or its people".
Tramore Area Community Theatre is calling for immediate engagement from the Council and a long-term site lease.
According to TACT, the only barriers to progress the project are a lack of political will from local representatives and a lack of support from senior council officials.
“That is the situation in a nutshell,” their statement said.
“If those two things change, Tramore will have a theatre. If they do not, it won’t, and responsibility will lie squarely with the Council.
“There will be a theatre in Tramore and soon once the Council chooses to work with us rather than against us, as has been the case for the past decade.
“We are now calling on the senior Council to openly and positively engage with the organisation this week to: Identify the most suitable council-owned site, offer TACT a long-term lease and work jointly to secure capital funding.”
