Kirkintilloch Town Hall has won a prestigious award following its restoration, rejuvenation and extension.
The B-listed building – which is now available for bookings, with an official opening to follow this year – was crowned Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year in the 2018 Scottish Property Awards.
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.
The town hall was also a finalist in the Architectural Excellence (Public Use) category, as well as the RICS Awards 2018, Scotland (for Regeneration).
Joint Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Polson, said, “I am delighted that Kirkintilloch Town Hall was judged to be Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year at the Scottish Property Awards. The new building has been rejuvenated into a leading centre for heritage, arts, culture and community use.”
Joint Council Leader, Councillor Vaughan Moody, said, "Congratulations to everyone involved – both within the Council and our partners in this ambitious project. It’s a new era for the town hall, which 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.”
Another new Council building – Bearsden Community Hub – was a finalist for a number of Scottish Property Awards: Architectural Excellence (Public Use); Community Development Project of the Year; Development of the Year (Public Buildings); and Town Centre Regeneration Project. It was also nominated in the RICS Awards 2018, Scotland.
In further awards news, the Council has been nominated for Public Sector Partner of the Year at the 2018 Partnership Awards.
The Kirkintilloch Town Hall project was funded by the Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government.
Iain Marley, CEO at hub West Scotland, said, "It's very much deserved recognition for Kirkintilloch Town Hall. The project has restored and rejuvenated this fine building thanks to the skill and hard work of both public and private partners.
"I am also really pleased that Bearsden Community Hub was recognised with nominations in a range of award categories. The success of both projects demonstrates the value for money and high quality facilities that the hub West Scotland partnership delivers through our collaborative model of working."
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
- New flooring throughout
- Repaired and restored external stonework
- Kitchen, store room, toilets and locker room
- Wheelchair access and lift between ground floor and first floor
- Stained glass feature - preserved from the original town hall.
For bookings and enquiries, e-mail edlc.co.uk or call 0141 777 3143.
An industrial heritage display and exhibition/activity space – Made in Kirkintilloch – has been created on the first floor of the town hall – celebrating the heritage of Kirkintilloch and its people.
EDLC has organised a programme of co-curated exhibitions and there will be creative activities for visitors.
Sandy Marshall, Chair of EDLC Trust, said, "The flexibility of the new-look town hall is key - allowing it to be used for cultural events, community meetings, weddings, commercial lets and more. There has already been a huge amount of interest in the new building.
"As well as being a first-class venue, the town hall will raise awareness of Kirkintilloch’s historic past and heritage.”
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