 The Market Hall has not been used for more than 20 years |
Designs to turn the hall where Lloyd George made his first speech into a community centre for Blaenau Ffestiniog have been presented by architects. The plans include a 350-seat theatre, a bar for live acts, recording studio, education rooms and office space.
Volunteer group Menter y Moelwyn, which is behind the Market Hall renovation, has estimated it will cost �3.5m.
It hopes to secure money from the National Lottery, local authorities and the European Union.
The designs for the future of the hall were shown to residents on Saturday.
Architect Mark Newall, of Baart Harries Newall, put the plans together after close consultation with the community.
The proposed 350-seater theatre would have removable chairs so it can be turned into a concert hall for a standing audience of 600, offices and a gallery.
A modern extension would also be added to the front of the hall, which Mr Newall promised would be "something dramatic and contemporary".
The Market Hall has been a major public venue in the town, but has not been used for more than 20 years.
 How the Market Hall might look after its renovation |
In 1886, a 23-year-old David Lloyd George delivered his first public oration there and became Prime Minister 30 years later. Menter y Moelwyn had initially estimated the renovation would cost about �2.5m but, once final plans had been drawn up, that rose to �3.5m including start up costs.
Group member Rory Francis said constructor McAlpine had already donated �30,000 towards the project, with another �4,000 pledge by the town council.
But an application for Objective One funding from the European Union, which Menter y Moelwyn had wanted to submit in March, had had to be put on hold because of the leap in costs.
 Lloyd George's speech at the hall was his first public oration |
Mr Francis said: "We have considered scaling down the project, but we are reluctant to drop activities which local people have told us they want, or reduce office space that is likely to bring in revenue and help make the project sustainable in the long term. "And the last thing we want to do is reduce the quality of the interior and exterior."
"We have come a long way but, unfortunately, we aren't at the end of the road yet.
""There's still a major question mark over whether we will be able to realise the dream we have got but we are certainly going to be continuing."
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We have come a long way but, unfortunately, we aren't at the end of the road yet
