THOUSANDS of people attended a weekend-long information event about the ambitious multi-million pound Jurassica project.

Held at Osprey Leisure Centre in Castletown, the event spanned four days and attracted more than 4,500 people who were eager to find out more about the proposed project.

Jurassica is the brainchild of science journalist Michael Hanlon and would see a huge sub-terranean interactive museum focused on the history and discoveries of the Jurassic Coast built on the island.

The information event, called Sea Monsters, cost around £20,000 to host and inside the sports hall of the leisure centre, there was a wide variety of activities and information stands for all of the family to enjoy.

There were three separate information domes. One provided information about the project and information on the architecture and site of the building.

Another dome provided information about the Jurassic Coast and the final dome was used for presentations from experts.

Alison Smith, co-ordinator of the project, said: “The whole event has been incredibly positive, and the responses from members of the public have been over-whelming.

“What we are trying to do is to engage with the local community very early on. This is a very informal voluntary engagement, not a statutory process, and what we are trying to do is to inform people about what we want to do, why we want to do it, and answer any questions they may have.

“Some people have been completely overjoyed and have been very exuberant, to other people who are sceptical and have objections.

“We get that and what we want to do is engage with local people.”

The Jurassica Project, which has gained the backing of Sir David Attenborough, is still in the very early stages of being completed, with the group behind the project still needing to find millions pound worth of funding, with the planning application still also being prepared.

It is hoped by the group that the planning application will be submitted by the end of next year, and the museum will be open in 2021.

At the pop-up event, organisers also utilised state-of-the-art virtual reality goggles to illustrate what the seas off the Dorset coast would have looked like during the Jurassic era, plus a host of children-friendly activities.

Organisers also used the event to consult local people on what their concerns are if the ambitious project is given the go ahead – with the main concern being an increase in traffic.

Mrs Smith added: “This is a communications exercise, we want to hear people’s concerns because communication matters.

“We have to be really open and listen to people who have traffic concerns because they know best. It’s alright looking at a map and speaking to the council, but the people of Portland know the traffic issues the best so if we know them the best by listening to them, hopefully we can find a solution.”