Omega Centre Launches Centre for Courses, Theatre rehearsal and conferences in Portsmouth
News
Although we have been running courses since the start of term in September, Omega Centre was officially opened on 14 October by The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Richard Jensen.
Around 70 people came to the event including WEA staff and volunteers, colleagues from Portsmouth City Council, ex-pupils and partner organisations. WEA staff and volunteers led tours of the recently revamped building. The Omega Printmakers were on hand to demonstrate the Centre’s rare 1892 Albion Platen Press, and WEA staff showed off Omega’s technical capabilities on interactive whiteboards in the classrooms. Guests also had the opportunity to see a range of learners’ work, from digital animations to batik and glass paintings.
WEA tutor Amanda Burgess spent weeks researching Omega Centre’s history for the launch and many people took interest in the building’s journey from Victorian schoolhouse to 21st Century arts and education centre.
There were three short speeches before the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the reopening of the Centre. Lynn Smith, Deputy President of the WEA and Steve Glennon, Head of Adult Learning at Portsmouth City Council both said the Centre was a shining example of the strength of working in partnership. The Lord Mayor said Omega was a community resource which went beyond education and praised all the partners for giving the building a new lease of life.
The plaque, which is to be mounted in Omega Centre’s reception area, is a tribute to the Jeffery-Machins whose bequest to the WEA enabled much of the building’s redevelopment. You can see an electronic version here.
So, after a lot of work by all those involved in Omega Centre, we can officially say ‘welcome’! Remember, this is your Centre. Whether you’re thinking about trying a course, are a theatre group looking for rehearsal space or a company interested in a corporate partnership, get in touch and find out more.
