BOURNEMOUTH needs a focal point, says the property developer behind the £59 million Pavilion project.

"There are spaces, but it's people that make places - and the Pavilion deserves to be a place the town can be proud of," says Trevor Osborne, outlining his vision of a refurbished Pavilion that includes the regeneration of the surrounding area.

Describing the project he revealed plans that include landscaped gardens and a new building on the North Bath Road car park which will house a casino, underground car park and 13 new restaurants on terraces rising to a viewpoint overlooking Bournemouth Bay.

The casino will largely be underground, although its entrance will be visible from the existing front of the Pavilion.

A new glass meeting area - possibly to be called the Interval Court - will be created between the new building and the Pavilion.

At least £13 million is to be spent overhauling the Pavilion, originally opened in 1929, to create new performance spaces, including a studio theatre and open terraces with a bakery and restaurant.

Work could begin as early as next month to demolish the exhibition hall and former Oasis café that overlooks the gardens and Pier Approach.

It is hoped the redevelopment will be completed by summer 2010 when the Pavilion Theatre will close for three months to allow its renovation to be completed in time for the panto season.

There is still a fundamental decision to be made by Bournemouth council as to whether it or the Trevor Osborne Group will run and operate the refurbished Pavilion, but detailed plans and a model of the proposed development should be unveiled to the public on December 12.

"I get the feeling this is a sleeping giant about to wake up," says Mr Osborne. "I don't own the Pavilion, it belongs to the ratepayers of Bournemouth and I want the people to see it and I want to hear what they think of it. It won't be set in stone as ideas may come up that can be incorporated into the project."

The scheme has already attracted controversy after an eleventh hour deal was struck between the council's out-going Liberal Democrat regime and the Trevor Osborne Group on polling day, May 3, but Mr Osborne has this week moved to allay public concerns about the opening of a casino.

Amendments to the design of the Pavilion project have resulted in a reduced area to be used for gaming.

The planning consent granted in March included an area to be occupied by the Aspers gaming company which amounted to 38,976 sq ft, but following discussions with the council's new administration the area has been reduced to 35,951 sq ft.

"This isn't gaming that Bournemouth will have seen before," says Mr Osborne. "The space includes live entertainment, separate restaurants and bar, a beauty treatment facility and customer lounges. It's pointless denying there's need and demand for gaming, but only 14,900 sq ft will be used for gaming activities."

The new building is to be designed by flamboyant modern architect Piers Gough, who has worked with Frank Gehry, designer of Bilbao's Guggenheim museum. Famed restorative architects Whitfield Lockwood - Sir William Whitfield and Andrew Lockwood - are working on the Pavilion plans.

"I want to have something truly distinctive for Bournemouth, so there'll be the new building with its flowing lines and terraces. But I won't have anyone interfere with the original character of the Pavilion and we're working hard to restore the performance spaces that have been lost, as well as creating new ones."

Other features include Italianate gardens and a revamp of the existing fountain in front of the Pavilion to create a water feature that can be set to music.

"There are lots of possibilities I hope this project will become a conduit for - I'm well aware of Bournemouth's on-going debate about an ice rink. The space in front of the Pavilion has the possibility of being used for public skating in winter. I'd like to think Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra could have a home in Bournemouth once again, even a small repertory company. I want this grand theatre to present patrons with a real, old-fashioned sense of occasion again because it has been terribly abused over the years.

"The quality and variety of entertainment has to be improved so that the Pavilion becomes a focus for the town. We have to be bold and find out what works, but it's important the Pavilion project has the capacity to stage different events."