Pontio, an iconic arts and innovation centre in the heart of Bangor will be launched when First Minister Carwyn Jones visits the proposed development.

The £37 million Pontio centre at Bangor University, which has received £27.5m from the Assembly Government and the European Union, will include a theatre with capacity for between 450-550 seats, cinema space, a studio theatre and an outdoor amphitheatre. It will be accompanied by exciting new social facilities including bars, dining and park areas.

The project will also include a dynamic innovation hub, with facilities for interdisciplinary design, enabling greater engagement with SMEs to drive the development of new products, processes and services. It is being designed to achieve the BREEAM "excellent" classification, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability.

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The centre will bring together the teaching of the arts and sciences and will also provide cutting-edge teaching and learning facilities that will benefit the local community, businesses and University students. The centre is expected to open in Spring 2013.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "I'm pleased to be here to see plans for this exciting development which will offer many facilities and opportunities for the city of Bangor and North West Wales. This scheme will capitalise on local skills and expertise to create and safeguard hundreds of jobs and business opportunities which will promote economic growth in the area – proving that the project delivers on the Assembly Government's vision for a vibrant and prosperous nation and proving that, here in Wales, we are using Structural Funds to effectively and strategically create a legacy of strong, sustainable growth."

(CD/GK)