The outward appearance of the Centre gives no indication of its 3,700 square metres, which includes a main auditorium capable of hosting events ranging from concerts, film shows, craft fairs, seminars, conferences and children’s activities. There are two floors of office space which are mainly occupied by organisations carrying out significant projects in the local community, for example, North City Training which develops programmes to help young people into employment, and Integrated Services for Children and Young People which helps raise educational aspiration and youth activities in the local community.
Several dance groups are resident in the Centre. Olympus Girls have over 300 girls attending their classes on a Tuesday night. Their dance style is modern aerobic and cheerleading. Diamontes Ballet group have their groups situated at the Centre and over 100 children attend them. The Centre also encourages urban dance and hip hop which is led by Dermid Prescott and attracts teenagers.
Diamontes also have a drama group for primary school children. Talent Tribe has also developed a local drama school in the Centre which gives children the opportunity to avail of auditions in other major productions.
The Centre also has a minor hall suitable for smaller events and exhibitions, a dedicated dance studio, and an informal lounge used for workshops and training.
Over the last number of years significant community partnerships have been formed with the Lyric Theatre, Belfast Film Festival, Movin' on Music Festival, The Ulster Scots Agency and Audiences NI. These events have opened up opportunities for local people to both observe and participate in arts events in the Centre.
The Spectrum Centre is a subsidiary of the Greater Shankill Partnership and is a private limited company. It receives very little funding, but is grateful to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Arts Council for the support it does receive.
The Prince saw displays of mountainbiking, canoeing, oreinteering,abseiling, potholing and drama by the young people, before unveiling a plaque with great aplomb to the accompaniment of the Olympus girls. He had also previously seen a demonstation of climbing by the pupils of The Royal National Institute of the Blind and those of Glenveagh Special Needs School, of which I was a former School Doctor.The visit was part of a celebration of Belfast Activity Centre's 21st Birthday to meet the participants in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.
The Protocol Group was led by The Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast Dame Mary Peters DBE who presented:- Deputy Lord Mayor, Belfast City Council Councillor William Humphrey MLA, High Sheriff for the County Borough of Belfast Councillor Dr Ian Adamson OBE, Member of Parliament for North Belfast Mr Nigel Dodds MP , Minister Department for Social Development Mr Alex Attwood MLA, Minister Department of Culture Arts and Leisure Mr Nelson McCausland MLA, Permanent Secretary, Departure of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Mrs Rosalie Flanagan, Chair, Greater Shankill Partnership Board Mr Tom Scott OBE who presented:-Chair, The Spectrum Board Mr Tom Winston, Chief Executive, Greater Shankill Partnership Board. Mr Jackie Redpath MBE, General Manager, Spectrum Centre Ms Julie Andrews, Belfast Activity Centre Chief Executive Officer Mr Stephen Dickson.
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Belfast activity centre gets Royal approval UTV News Thursday, 17 February 2011