ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY: The Forbes Art and Cultural Centre located at the site of the old ambulance station is one step closer to becoming a reality.
It has sat unoccupied for almost 20 years but not for much longer. The former Forbes and District Ambulance Station is now one step closer to becoming a cultural and arts centre, with the Development Application for the site progressing to the final stage.
Forbes Arts Society Chair Dr Karen Ritchie said, “since purchasing 110 Lachlan Street in December 2019, the Forbes Arts Society has been working closely with Source Architects to develop a final design for the building in consultation with key project partners and the wider community.”
The FAS vision is to develop the site into a vibrant, civic hub.
“We want a space that encourages locals and visitors to create, share and experience art and culture as well as meet, gather and connect with one another,” Dr Ritchie said.
“The design is an adaptive reuse of this prominent local building – sensitive to the site’s Local Heritage Significance status, whilst incorporating a beautiful yet functional contemporary extension.”
The distinctive two-storey building, located on the corner of Court and Lachlan Streets, was originally occupied by the Bank of Australasia before the Ambulance Service took possession of the site in 1944. On 25 October 2001, the building was extensively damaged by fire. Due to the damage caused, the Forbes and District Ambulance Service relocated to a temporary station up at the Forbes Hospital.
A second fire on 31 October 2001 gutted the building, and it has remained unoccupied since.
The Forbes Cultural Centre development is part of the $7.2 million ‘Boosting the La-chlan Valley Economy Art Project’ which is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.
For more information about the project and to view the proposed plans, visit www.forbesartssociety.com