£9.2 million restoration of Maryhill Burgh Halls gets under way
November 23 2009
HAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT....... MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MARYHILL BURGH HALLS TRUST CELEBRATE THE FUNDRAISING TRIUMPH AND THE START OF WORK.
WORK to bring Maryhill's historic Burgh Halls back to life is officially under way.
Members of the Board of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust have now officially handed over the building to the contractors Graham Construction who will transform it into a vital community asset by May 2011.
The task was only made possible after a staggering £9.2 million was raised to fund the Project.
The most recent development came earlier this month when the Trust purchased the former Maryhill police station which is next door to the halls and the adjoining land from Glasgow City Council who are a partners in the restoration.
The brilliant campaign to breathe new life into one of Glasgow's most historic and much loved buildings received the final pieces of funding to secure its future in October.
The Halls were the seat of municipal government in the days when Maryhill was a Burgh. The buildings were constructed in 1878 and designed by renowned architect Duncan McNaughtan, and have lain empty for some years. Once restored, the Halls will recapture the splendid historic beauty of this treasured building and be developed into a modern public hall, a café with a heritage exhibition, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and a courtyard garden.
Billy McAllister, Chair of the Trust, said: “There can be no better example of urban regeneration than our drive to restore and equip Maryhill Burgh Halls for the community and our city. We are delighted and very grateful to have reached our target and excited now that the work is under way.”
Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary of the Trust added: “The Trust is indebted to all of the funders who have contributed so generously to this deeply rooted community project. Congratulations should go to the Board and the Members of the Trust and all of the local people who have put so much hard work into shaping this dynamic and much needed facility.”
So far, more than 5 years hard work has been put into developing proposals for the project. The Board of the Trust, which comprises local people and representatives from partners Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council have worked tirelessly to make the restoration a reality, as have members of the support team.
The building's architectural appeal and historic merit is further enhanced by 20 outstanding stained glass panels depicting the trades and industries of Maryhill in the late 9th century. These were designed and manufactured by Stephen Adam, one of the foremost stained glass artists of the time. The panels are currently in safe keeping in the city archives. The restoration will also see a significant number of the collection which was removed in 1962, conserved and returned to the Halls.
Notes to Journalists:
This news release is issued on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust by Ross Wilson Public Relations (www.rosswilsonpr.com) on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust. Further information from Ross Wilson on 07768 280021. A selection of images of the halls is available in jpeg format and these can be forwarded if required.