Project Update

There were some interesting articles in today's media - The Herald newspaper, radio, Evening News - about the delays that I mentioned in my last blog update so I thought it would be useful to provide links to a couple of the pieces. They say it as well as I can so it's worth having a read!

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2100480.0.More_delays_hit_Usher_Hall_revamp_as_problems_discovered.php

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2100415.0.What_lies_beneath_foundations_of_Usher_Hall_lead_to_setbacks.php

As you will see from previous photos the upgrading of the Usher Hall is progressing, and many areas are coming along well. After last year's festival the contractor took full control of the Hall - we are currently renting office accommodation from our neighbours, the Lyceum Theatre, as a temporary base. The contractor discovered the need to reinforce the foundations of the building with more underpinning (see previous posts) and provide additional support to some internal structures such as the circular stairwell (last post). This work means that the full project will take longer to fully complete but there is no concern at this stage over the use of the venue for this coming winter season by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. It will push back our 'official' opening, most likely to be Spring 2009. There are a lot of operational factors to take into account here and I'll keep you posted.

It will probably be the case that some temporary public facilities such as toilets and box office are put on site for the period of the Festival the Autumn season but we expect the hall itself to be operational. A planning team is being set up to ensure that the needs of the artists, orchestras and audiences are satisfied. The team that is managing and delivering the project is working through the implications of the revised programme of construction work.

Working on a iconic, Grade A listed concert hall was always going to present challenges and in the long run you will find it worth the effort!