It will be a while before we will start to see work on the former Forbes Ambulance Station site begin, but Forbes Arts Society's Dr Keith Mullette says things have got away to a wonderful start.
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Located on the corner of Lachlan and Court streets, the prominent building is set to house an expanded art gallery, meeting rooms, performance, workshop spaces and cafe after being purchased by the Forbes Arts Society.
Initial community consultation on the concepts for the site went very well, Dr Mullette said.
"It wasn't a huge turnout, but it was very positive," he said of the meeting at Forbes Services Memorial Club.
After fielding lots of questions and congratulations, the Art Society and architects feel they're on the right path.
In coming weeks, engineering teams will be studying the building as they look beyond concepts to designs for its future.
"It'll be a time before we see things happening, but they are happening behind the scenes," Dr Mullette added.
The committee would love to continue to hear from people who have memories, stories and old photographs of the building.
It will help them put together some interpretive materials that talk about the history of the building, it could also help as they finalise designs and gain an understanding of just how much work there is to do on site.
"There are bits of old renovations to be removed and restored to the original," Dr Mullette said.
"It would be good if people have information and photographs ... we'd certainly love to know about the inside of the bank."
Were there ever fuel tanks on site is another question they'd love to clear up.
The cultural centre is one part of the plans to increase art tourism to Forbes: progress is also being made on the installation of sculptures on the stock route by the Lachlan River and construction of new bird hides at Gum Swamp.
It's a multi-million plan Dr Mullette anticipates will draw visitors to Forbes and surrounds, the aim has always been to boost the Lachlan region.
You can still pick up a copy of the community survey on the cultural centre from the Platypus Gallery or their Facebook page.
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