Item 7 (4 pages)
22nd September 2011
Kelvingrove Bandstand and AmphitheatrePurpose of Report:
To advise members of the Committee of the progress towards the refurbishment of the
Kelvingrove Bandstand and Amphitheatre
Recommendations:
It is recommended that Committee:
a) notes the content of this report.
1. Background
1.1 Work has been ongoing for some time to restore the bandstand and amphitheatre in
Kelvingrove Park to a working bandstand. Development work has closely involved
the
Friends of Kelvingrove Park, who were partners in commissioning and developing
a report by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust (GBPT).
1.2 The GBPT report involved consultation with a number of potential users, potential
partners and community groups to ascertain what the best possible vehicle would be
for renovation and management of the facility post renovation.
1.3 The GBPT report recommended:
The lease of the bandstand and amphitheatre to a building preservation trust
which would then raise the capital required for the renovation and facilitate
the formation of a ‘bandstand trust’,
Post completion of the renovation, assign the lease of the bandstand and
amphitheatre to the ‘bandstand trust’ which would thereafter manage and
maintain the asset.
1.4 Following the production of the GBPT report, some concerns were raised given the
current financial context, as to the financial sustainability of the bandstand especially
if it were to be managed on a stand alone basis by an independent trust.
1.5 As a consequence of these concerns, a further piece of work was commissioned
from pza consulting which reviewed the business case for restoration and re-use of
the bandstand and amphitheatre.
1.6 pza consulting revisited many of the consultees from the original GBPT report to
gauge levels of commitment to using and supporting the bandstand in the current
financial climate. This report was presented in February 2011.
1.7 Key findings were that:
access to funding for third sector arts organisations has been significantly
reduced as a result of the recession, and many organisations which had
aspirations to use the bandstand recognised they would have less capacity to
do so in the current funding climate,
in the current funding climate, the capacity of community and third sector to
deliver ‘new’ activity is limited and income generation potential from these lets
is minimal,
there is potential to attract publicly funded arts organisations who deliver arts
outreach, but a key requirement of this type of event is that ‘infrastructure’
and programming are provided and are ready to ‘plug into’. This type of event
is generally free and would not generate income.
1.8 The pza report concluded that the proposed business model for the development and
management of the bandstand through a Trust model was financially unsustainable,
although there remains a compelling case for the restoration and re-use of the
bandstand.
1.9 The pza report presented a number of options:
Do nothing
The site woulvisitor attraction of Kelvingrove Museum, and a few hundred yards from the
2014 Commonwealth Games bowling venue. There is also a brand new
school constructed a few hundred yards from the bandstand.
There is a huge amount of public interest in the bandstand, and enormous
public support for its refurbishment. To withdraw from refurbishing the site
now would raise considerable political and press interest, and it is anticipated
that there would be considerable loss of community goodwill.
Demolish
To demolish the bandstand and make the area safe would cost in the region
of £30,000. The building is category B listed and demolition would raise
difficulties.
Council carry out refurbishment and manage thereafter
The capacity for the Council to raise capital for the £1.3M refurbishment is
limited. While the Council would be eligible to apply for Heritage Lottery
funding, it would not be an eligible applicant for many other charitable
funders.
Partnership approach
This approach would utilise an existing charitable trust, such as the Glasgow
Building Preservation Trust, to secure capital for refurbishment, and to
manage the renovation. Ongoing operation and maintenance of the
refurbished building would therafter be carried out by the Council and
Glasgow Life.
This option reduces the capital burden on the Council, but recognises that
without Council commitment to the ongoing maintenance and management of
the bandstand, the restoration of the historic asset is unlikely to be delivered.
2. Current position
2.1 A report was presented to the Council’s Capital Programme Board on 6th June 2011,
and approval was secured to progress to detailed business case on the basis of a
partnership approach with Glasgow Life, who will facilitate a seasonal programme of
events, activities, concerts and celebrations after the renovation of the Bandstand is
complete
2.2 A further report along with a detailed business case will be presented to the Capital
Programme Board on 27th September 2011.
3. Service Implications
Financial: Capital cost of refurbishment is £1.3 million.
Legal: There are no legal implications arising from this report.
Personnel: There are no personnel implications arising from this report.
Service Plan: The Service Plan details the importance of partnership working
and engaging with local communities and interest groups.d remain as it currently is.
Environmental: The restoration of this building will have a positive impact on
the built environment and that of the park.
Sustainable Procurement and Article 19: The objectives of this report are not
considered applicable to Article 19
4. Recommendations
It is recommended that Committee:
a) notes the content of this report.
ROBERT BOOTH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LAND & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
31 August 2011
http://www.kelvingrovepark.com/index.php