CEREDIGION County Council Cabinet members have been asked to back an investigation into replacing the current Theatr Felinfach with a new building.

Consultants appointed to look into how improvements could be made to the theatre have put forward two suggestions - to replace the current building with a new purpose-built theatre as part of a possible new Dyffryn Aeron area school, or to carry out a major revamp of the current building.

That report has gone before councillors on the learning communities scrutiny committee with a recommendation that a new building would be the preferred option.

It will now be considered by Cabinet members, who have been asked to support further investigations into the possibility of a new, relocated theatre.

Architects Darton B3, who were employed to draw up a feasibility study, said that either refurbishing and renovating the current building or providing a new purpose-built theatre could boost the arts in the county and provide an economic boost.

The study said that, while the current theatre building could be renovated at a cost of £1.6m, there was the potential for a new theatre building to be provided as part of any eventual plans for a possible new area school in the Aeron Valley.

The Arts Council of Wales has already said it will provide funding of £575,000 to progress one of the two options.

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