The 'Homeplace' Project

Above: how M.V.'Confiance' is expected to look after refurbishment

M.V. Confiance currently

This project has so much potential and added value for so many sections of the community in both the private and public sector. It offers opportunities for local, regional and national companies and public sector organisations to invest in a unique and exciting project which will become a city landmark over the next few years. So much opportunity under one roof in a fantastic riverside location between the prestigious Waterfront Hall and the Queen's Bridge:

Maritime Heritage Centre

Timescale:

 

         Action                                                      start date                               delivery date

Purchase of vessel:                                            June 2006                                completed
Delivery of vessel:                                              November 2006                       completed
Development of Arts space                                March 2007                              Aug  2007
Coffee shop service area                                    Feb   2008                                June 2008
Development of Heritage Gallery                       March 2008                               June 2008

The journey from Holland to Belfast

By June 2008 all elements of the project are expected to be fully operational

The important and exciting 'Homeplace' project has been in the planning since 2003.

'Homeplace' is an ambitious undertaking for a relatively young voluntary organisation, but it has benefited from some tremendous goodwill and financial support from a number of key agencies in Belfast which has progressed the project to a new and exciting stage!

There is still much to be done to bring the project to fruition but we are confident that our aims will be achieved and the people of Belfast and N. Ireland will benefit from the fruits of our labours.

As the name implies, this project came about as a result of an urgent need for a stable homeplace/headquarters for Lagan Legacy. It was deemed very appropriate that that homeplace should ideally be aboard some type of marine vessel on the River Lagan.... and so the search began for a suitable vessel.
The result of that search was the Dutch Barge 'Confiance'  which arrived from Holland on 3rd November 2006.

Currently the organisation is located within the Belfast City Council's Training & Development Centre in the Maysfield Boathouse but hopes to relocate within the next 12 months to  'Confiance' (the name is French for 'confidence') which is now permanently moored at Lanyon Quay adjacent to the Waterfront Hall.

As a platform for current and future Lagan Legacy projects it seemed logical to equip the vessel, not just as offices, but as a venue to cater for as many types of projects as were likely to be included within the aims of the organisation.
Hence, the Lagan Legacy Board decided to create a venue which would house a digital maritime heritage gallery and an extremely versatile and multifunctional Arts performance space with the potential to support a whole range of cultural events and programmes... Music, Theatre, Cinema, Art Exhibitions, Workshops and Conference and Seminar facilities.

Importantly, the project will provide, not only a valuable Educational resource for schools and maritime enthusiasts, but will also contribute to the rapidly developing tourism infrastructure of Belfast... particularly the Waterfront area.

 'Confiance' also aims to be as environmentally friendly as possible and hopes to employ as many renewable energy sources as are practical from Solar and Wind to Geo-Thermal technologies.

The project's development timescale is dependant to a significant degree on the leverage of further funding and the continued support of those key agencies who have helped us realise the purchase and delivery of Confiance to Belfast.

Future funding for the completion of the project and delivery of a unique and valuable resource for Belfast is expected to come from a number of statutory agencies which expressed keen interest in the project but were unable to come on board before the arrival of Confiance e.g. Heritage Lottery Fund and the Northern Ireland Arts Council.

Business sponsorship also has an important role to play in helping to deliver the project sooner rather than later and we are confident that such a unique ground breaking project for Belfast will attract that sponsorship.

Lagan Legacy wishes to thank all of the following supporters and sponsors and acknowledge their generous contributions in progressing the project to this stage.

sponsors