Two projects are advancing that could pave the way for the restoration and redevelopment of Wilmont House within Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park.

The Golden Thread Gallery has successfully secured £83,270 in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to undertake a feasibility study, in collaboration with Belfast City Council, the owner of the Grade B+ listed building. Concurrently, the council is conducting its own assessment of the building's condition to inform the study.

The feasibility study will examine the viability of transforming Wilmont House into a community and arts space, celebrating the building's built, cultural, and environmental heritage while leveraging its unique open space setting. This will involve consultations with park users and community groups throughout the summer. The findings from both the feasibility study and the condition assessment will be presented to councillors, who will then consider and decide on the best approach for long-term funding and potential works, exploring all available options. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, welcomed the progress. "This is just the first step in a lengthy process and, while it isn’t a guarantee that Wilmont House can be returned to its former glory any time soon, it’s still a moment worth marking,” he said. Councillor Murray acknowledged that previous attempts to find an economically viable use for the building were unsuccessful, but he emphasised the council's commitment to finding a suitable new purpose. He praised the Golden Thread Gallery's vision, drawing parallels with their successful transformation of the former Craftworld premises in Belfast city centre into a vibrant gallery.

Peter Richards and Sarah McAvera, Co-Directors of Golden Thread Gallery, expressed their excitement about the project, stating their goal to assess if Wilmont House can house their collection of Northern Irish Art and the Visual Arts Research Library and Archive. Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, reiterated the fund's commitment to supporting heritage resilience and its contribution to communities and economies, supporting Golden Thread Gallery in developing their plans for the historic building.