Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport
    • En Garde!
    • BUWRU Still on Top
    • Hidden Histories: With The Archaeology Society
    • Beabadoobee Concert Review: Welcome to Beatopia
    • Taylor Swift: Midnights Review – The Stories of 13 Sleepless Nights
    • Claire Concert Review: Claire Cottrill in Concert!
    • Is There Hope For Percy Jackson?
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr
    Seren
    • News & Politics
      1. Local News
      2. UK News
      3. Uni News
      4. World News
      5. Politics
      6. Comment
      7. Business
      Featured

      SABB Election: The Full Result Breakdown

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      Redevelopment plans and the culture of Bangor

      October 28, 2022

      Immediate closure of Menai Bridge following reports of structural integrity issues

      October 28, 2022

      Racial abuse victim calls for harsher sentencing following nightclub assault

      October 28, 2022
    • Arts & Culture
      1. Books
      2. Games
      3. Film
      4. Music
      5. TV
      6. Creative Corner
      Featured

      Bangor alumni podcast earns Hollywood cameo & BBC features

      By Amelia SmithMarch 7, 20210
      Recent

      Beabadoobee Concert Review: Welcome to Beatopia

      October 29, 2022

      Taylor Swift: Midnights Review – The Stories of 13 Sleepless Nights

      October 29, 2022

      Claire Concert Review: Claire Cottrill in Concert!

      October 29, 2022
    • Lifestyle
      1. Fashion
      2. Food and Drink
      3. Social
      4. Health and Beauty
      5. Travel
      Featured

      Country Highlight: The Netherlands

      By Emily ShoultsMay 6, 20220
      Recent

      Gilmore Garms

      October 28, 2022

      Fleeces and Funk

      October 28, 2022

      Cheerleading: Getting your kit together

      October 28, 2022
    • Discovery
      1. Science
      2. Environment
      3. History
      4. International
      Featured

      Brewing up a Storm: The History of Guinness

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      North Wales Ramblings

      October 28, 2022

      Hamza Yassin: The Hard Work That Is Making Luck Happen

      October 28, 2022

      Student’s Union Hosts Repair Cafe for Sustainability Awareness Week

      October 28, 2022
    • Sport
      1. Varsity 2019
      2. Varsity 2018
      3. Varsity 2017
      4. Varsity 2016
      5. Varsity 2015
      6. Varsity 2014
      7. Varsity 2013
        • Varsity 2013 Results
        • Varsity 2013 – In tweets
      Featured

      Bangor Muddogs’ American Football: a young woman finding her place

      By Jade HillMarch 23, 20210
      Recent

      Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport

      October 29, 2022

      En Garde!

      October 29, 2022

      BUWRU Still on Top

      October 29, 2022
    • Students’ Union
      1. Union News
      2. Societies
      3. Volunteering
      4. Clubs
      Featured

      INTERVIEW: Be Period Positive

      By Caroline CartmillMarch 17, 20210
      Recent

      Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport

      October 29, 2022

      En Garde!

      October 29, 2022

      BUWRU Still on Top

      October 29, 2022
    • Issues
      • Current Issue
      • This year’s issues
      • Last year’s issues
      • Seren Archive
      • Seren Teams
    Seren
    Home»News & Politics»Local News»Pontio delayed AGAIN?
    Local News

    Pontio delayed AGAIN?

    Amy BlackwellBy Amy BlackwellOctober 7, 2014Updated:February 6, 2015No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Today Pontio released a statement confirming even more delays to their theatre opening, having cancelled their opening performance “Chwalfa” after postponing it to February last month.

    Bangor University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor John G. Hughes said:

    “Following detailed discussions with the contractor, and with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, it has become clear that work on the building project is unlikely to be completed in time for us to reschedule Chwalfa in February as originally hoped.” And that he “fully recognises everyone’s disappointment at this news but given the delays in the building schedule to date we have no other choice. We sincerely apologise to the hard-working cast, the crew and our audiences, and we share their disappointment.”

    Fortunately all ticket holders will be reimbursed and staff hired by Pontio will continue to be paid despite the building being closed.

    Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s artistic director Arwel Gruffydd commented:

    We would like to thank the residents of the area for the welcome and support that we recieved. We are looking forward to returning as son as it will be possible. We also wish Pontio every success as they prepare to open their doors and we look forward to visiting the Centre with a wealth of productions in the future”

    Amongst the discussion of delays and theatre tickets Pontio, the University and the local media have forgotten that the building is also supposed to be home to Bangor’s Student’s Union. What do these delays mean for us as students? When will someone mention us? With the building opening in phases, and the first phase not yet complete what will this mean for the Union? Will the Union be moved in before next years freshers week?

    The original planning application for Pontio was submitted in 2010, the old Students Union demolished the same year and Bangor’s old Theatre closed in 2008. Pontio was originally set to be open in 2012 and now two years later looks to be set back at least another year with at least another years alumni who were promised a proper Student Union building gone. It may come as a surprise to some that the current Student’s Union at Bryn Haul and the current home of Academi were only meant to be stopgaps whilst Pontio was under construction but to most students (including myself) that’s all they’ve ever known.

    An old issue of Seren from 2009 reads almost the same as today; students not knowing whats happening with their Union and confusion over what the then £30m (now £44m) construction will mean for them. A BBC news article from 2008 claims that the centre will be open by 2011 and cost between £25 – 30 million. In an old university staff newsletter from 2009 the University can be quoted stating the project to cost £36m and be opened by Spring 2012. Now here we are two years later, £8 million over budget and still as confused as ever.

    208-Oct-09-low-1NewsletterOctE-1

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    These delays come at a time of austerity for the University, with all departments being asked to cut back on spending, including with staffing.

    Staff have not yet released a new opening date for the arts centre and are currently discussing a new timetable with their contractors.

     

    bangor university Pontio
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Amy Blackwell

    Editor 2014/15, Books Editor 2013/14

    Related Posts

    Redevelopment plans and the culture of Bangor

    October 28, 2022

    Immediate closure of Menai Bridge following reports of structural integrity issues

    October 28, 2022

    Racial abuse victim calls for harsher sentencing following nightclub assault

    October 28, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    MORE INFORMATION
    • ABOUT
    • ADVERTISE
    • CONTACT US
    • GET INVOLVED
    • MEMBERS
    Links
    • Bangor University Bangor University
    • Google+ Google+
    • Undeb Bangor Undeb Bangor
    About

    Seren is Bangor University Students’ Union’s English Language Newspaper

    We have editorial independence from both Bangor University and Bangor Students’ Union. Seren is written by students for students and we’d love you to get involved!

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.