Schoolchildren design their Town Centre Vision

Years two and five at St Michael?s School worked with artist Jeff Pigott to create their visions for Bournemouth and help the Council to promote its Town Centre Master Vision.

Ideas included a sky cafe, a giant art gallery and fountain with a hole in the roof for rainwater as well as skyscrapers, electric super-cars and a children?s park.

Other children put forward ideas for a museum of world culture out at sea, an underwater hotel and horse riding in Bournemouth Gardens.

Cllr John Beesley, Deputy Leader of Bournemouth Council, said: ?We were so impressed with the care and imagination these children used to design a town for their future. Together with artist Jeff Pigott they have created very eye catching artwork which will be seen by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors.

?Over the past few months we?ve been inundated with ideas from the public for inclusion in the Town Centre Vision. These pictures by children at St Michael?s School are being considered alongside those ideas to help us ensure the vision meets the needs of young people.?

The Town Centre Master Vision is expected to help bring better leisure attractions, high quality shops and enhanced outside space, as well as improvements to the transport network and reduction in carbon emissions.

Headteacher of St Michael?s School, Bob Kennedy, said: ?The artist Jeff Pigott did a fantastic job of capturing the children?s enthusiasm and imagination. Given that the young people of Bournemouth are our future, looking at the posters makes you realise what exciting times lie ahead.?

Bournemouth Council is preparing plans to form a town centre regeneration partnership involving the private sector. The result could be hundreds of millions of pounds of investment.

To contribute ideas for the Town Centre Vision email towncentrevision@bournemouth.gov.uk or write to the Communications Department, Bournemouth Council, Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, BH26DY.