A Government Minister has visited the site of a proposed digital skills academy in Helensburgh just weeks before a major funding decision is due on the £2.5m project.
Scottish Minister for External Affairs and International Development Humza Yousaf said he was impressed by the project to build the ‘Heroes Centre’ and would do what he could to support the project to turn a deserted three storey warehouse in the birthplace of John Logie Baird into a skills and arts facility.
Helensburgh Heroes, the charity behind the project, will discover in mid-December whether it has won a substantial grant to finally get the project off the drawing board.
Mr Yousaf said: “I’m thoroughly impressed. Having seen the professionalism that surrounds this project I don’t think it will be too many years before I see the great wall of fame, the cinema and the digital academy up and running.”
His site visit followed one made by Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, last year. He was accompanied by local MSP Jackie Baillie who is a supporter of the project.
Jackie said: “We’re coming close to a major funding decision now so it was important that the Minister came to see what the money would be spent on.
“His feedback is that it was a very professional presentation and it’s a thrilling idea that takes Helensburgh’s history and heritage and combines it with the present and the future. ”
Mr Yousaf spent an hour at the site in George Street, watching a video presentation of how the Heroes Centre would look if built and listening to key project members, including education partner Glasgow Caledonian University and Organic Architects, who explained their involvement.
Phil Worms, founder of the Helensburgh Heroes charity, said: “I was pleased that the Minister had such a great understanding of what we’re trying to do and of the importance of digital technology both here and throughout Scotland and he left, I believe, with a very positive impression.
“We’re all on tenterhooks at the moment as we expect to find out whether we have secured a major grant in mid-December so we’ve just got our fingers crossed and are hoping for positive news.”
When built the Heroes Centre will boast a state-of-the-art digital training academy, two cinema screens, and a 50s diner plus a wall of fame honouring local people who have contributed to society. Supporters of the project include Hollywood film director Tom Vaughan, who grew up in the town, and influential computer gaming content creator Fergus McNeill.
What happened about the funding? Is this now being folded into the Submarine museum, or is that a completely different digital media centre? Is there a need for 2 such facilities?
As far as I know these are two different projects, yes; so digital media centres in Helensburgh seem a bit like the proverbial London buses,