What must be one of the best local news stories of 2019 has come in right on deadline for the final Forbes Advocate of the year.
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The Forbes Arts Society has announced contracts have been exchanged for the sale of the former ambulance building.
The former Forbes Ambulance Station is set to become a cultural centre incorporating an art gallery.
The Forbes Arts Society's Dr Keith Mullette was delighted to announce contracts for the sale of 110 Lachlan Street were exchanged on Thursday and keen to spread the good news leading into the festive season.
"It's a Christmas present to Forbes," he said.
"It's been a long time coming and I hope the town will be pleased."
The Arts Society's vision for the prominent corner block in the centre of town incorporates an expanded art gallery, meeting rooms, performance and workshop spaces, Dr Mullette said.
It has been made possible with grant funding that was announced in November.
Forbes Arts Society received $5.79 million in NSW Government funding, plus funds from Evolution Mining, Forbes and Lachlan shire councils to complete the sculpture trail.
The cultural centre is a major part of the project, but the funding will also see the installation of new bird hides at Gum Swamp and a number of commissioned sculptures.
The whole project, Dr Mullette says, is designed to boost the economy through tourism right through the Lachlan valley as the sculptures stretch from the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre along the stock route.
Dr Mullette said Source Architects would work on detailed designs for the cultural centre.
It might take a few months for work to start, he said, but then it would be all systems go with completion envisaged within two to two-and-a-half years.
Spaces will be available for lease or rent, there is even scope to include a cafe or restaurant that would then be able to cater for functions.
Given the local heritage listing and location of the building, originally the Bank of Australasia branch, its development will honour its history.
Dr Mullette added that community members will be invited to provide input on the plans as things progress.
The former ambulance station was severely damaged in a series of fires in 2001.
