STOMACH IS STARTING TO RUMBLE (PNCC Square Circular, June 2008)
After four years of planning, funding for the Creative Sounds
redevelopment has been secured and work is beginning
about now.
A non-profit voluntary organisation, Creative Sounds is dedicated to the encouragement
of musical, artistic
and performance activities, and is proudly supported by the Palmerston North
City Council.
City Council architect, Kooi Tan, has drawn up plans for a dual-use facility
on the current site of the Stomach,
with two sound-proofed practice rooms separate from the main studio space.
The remodelled building
will be 434 square metres, an increase of 179 square metres. The upgraded
studio will be able to record all styles
of music from a string quartet or jazz ensemble through to a metal band.
“At the moment, we have one room that can be hired out,” explains
Stuart Hubbard, secretary, Creative Sounds. “This
means that if an individual or group is here practising, no one else can utilise
the resource. If there’s a gig on,
then that means the facility is out of action for anyone else for the entire
day due to the time taken to set up,
hold the gig and then pack up.”
The cost for the redevelopment project is approximately $650,000,
with major funding contributed by the City Council.
The remaining funding has been sourced from the Department of Internal Affairs
Lottery Grants Fund,
CentralPower Electricity Trust, Eastern and Central Community Trust, and the
Lottery Grants Board.
A wide range of community groups utilise the facilities at Creative
Sounds, including the IHC, bands wanting to record
their music, young people who come to the Stomach on a Friday night, as well
as weekend practices by high school
students right through to older adults.
The relationship between Creative Sounds and the Palmerston
North City Council is now 30 years old. The studio and
performance venue has fostered and nurtured a significant amount of creative
talent in the city during these 20 years.
Emerging musicians are encouraged to explore their creativity through a number
of different forums including: music,
tuition, networking, workshops, equipment use and live performance. This can
have a knock-on effect for youth,
in particular lifting their self-esteem and creating confidence.
Creative Sounds are currently looking to secure temporary premises
for approximately three months while the
redevelopment work is being carried out.