A new era has launched for a landmark building in East Dunbartonshire - which blends past, present and future in the heart of the community.
Kirkintilloch Town Hall was officially opened today (Friday 16 November) by Provost Alan Brown after a major programme of investment.
The B-listed building - which is available for bookings - has been rejuvenated into a flexible centre for heritage, arts, culture and community use.
The town hall offers a modern space – retaining as many original architectural and heritage details as possible – which is flexible enough to host a number of events, from performances and concerts to weddings and corporate bookings.
It has already proven popular with patrons and was crowned Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year at the 2018 Scottish Property Awards.
The £5.5m project was funded by the Council, Scottish Government, The National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, Kelvin Valley & Falkirk LEADER (via Scottish Rural Development Funding), the European Union and the Scottish Futures Trust.
Provost Alan Brown said, "I was delighted to open the rejuvenated, restored and extended town hall. It's a credit to the town and to the many people who worked tirelessly for years to bring it back into use.
"Finding the required funding for the project was a mammoth task given the challenging financial conditions so well done to all who helped to secure the necessary grants and support.
"Indeed congratulations to everyone involved – both within the Council and our partners in this ambitious project - for their endeavours to deliver this wonderful facility."
The Council worked with East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust and development partner hub West Scotland, who managed the project and appointed the contractor and design team: Central Building Contractors; Michael Laird Architects; Doig + Smith, quantity surveyors; Struer and David Narro, structural engineers; and Hawthorne Boyle, mechanical engineers.
Sandy Marshall, Chair of EDLC Trust, said, "It truly is a new era for the town hall - which offers people a multi-use, modern space - retaining as many original details as possible.
"Nowhere is that better represented than upstairs with the Made in Kirkintilloch display - which combines local history with cutting-edge technology.
"I hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to visit the town hall - which blends past, present and future under one roof."
Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said, "The town hall gives the community a heart, a symbol of its history and identity that cannot be replaced. We are delighted that, with support from players of The National Lottery, this wonderful building has been transformed and can once again take its place at the centre of Kirkintilloch life."
Iain Marley, CEO at hub West Scotland, said, "We were thrilled and honoured to lead and co-ordinate the restoration of this building. The project has breathed new life into a fine public building thanks to the skill and hard work of public and private partners.
"The project supported three apprenticeships, 12 work experience placements and 99% of the project investment was procured through Scottish businesses. It's fantastic to see the town hall now accommodating such a vibrant range of community uses."
The town hall includes:
- Main hall – offering flexible auditorium and events space (17m x 16.5m) with a potential capacity for 300 people, lighting and portable staging
- New extension – containing lesser town hall (8.8m x 18m), reception and offices
- New reproduction ceiling – moulded from original designs - and proscenium arch
- Repaired and restored external stonework
- Wheelchair access and lift between ground floor and first floor.
For bookings and enquiries, e-mail booking.edlc.co.uk/Horizons/culture or call 0141 777 3143.
The Made in Kirkintilloch industrial heritage display - and exhibition/activity space - is open to the public from 10am-4pm, Mon-Thurs and there is an ongoing programme of co-curated exhibitions currently underway.
- The town hall was opened in July 1906. It closed its doors in 2004 and since then efforts have been ongoing to see it revamped and reopened.
- As well as winning Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year at the 2018 Scottish Property Awards, the town hall was also a finalist in the Architectural Excellence (Public Use) category, as well as the RICS Awards 2018, Scotland (for Regeneration).
- 'Re-addressing the archive' is the name of the latest co-curated exhibition at Kirkintilloch Town Hall - on from 1 October to 11 December - which has been inspired by the area's rich heritage.
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