KELVIN HALL’S MAGIC MAKEOVER
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE £35M REVAMP IS NOW COMPLETE – AND CUSTOMERS ARE QUEUING UP TO GET FIT IN THE NEW SUPERGYM
IN January 2012 Olympic champion Mo Farah won the last race at Kelvin Hall before it closed for a multi-million pound revamp.
Now fitness fans are back in the landmark building, which has re-opened as a super gym, prompting 350 people to sign up as members of the Glasgow Club in just a couple of days.
A small crowd waited outside for the stunning building to open its doors and it proved to be worth the wait.
The £35million first phase of the redevelopment of Kelvin Hall will bring together the gym, the collections of the Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum and the moving image archives of the National Library of Scotland.
It is the first time any part of the National Library has been located outwith Edinburgh.
Once the next two phases of the redevelopment are complete, the complex will be two-and-a half times the size of neighbouring Kelvingrove Art Gallery.
One of the first people into the gym was Donna Webb, 52, from Bishopbriggs, who started going to gyms 25 years ago and was one of the first members of the Glasgow Club.
She now goes to the gym four times a week and attends classes five nights a week.
Donna said: “This place is fantastic, just amazing.
“It is very impressive because there is so much equipment.”
Delivery driver Ricky Walsh, 32, from the West End was equally impressed, and said: "It looks as if there is a lot of equipment so we will not have to wait for any of the pieces."
Glasgow University PhD student Sharon Greenwood, 30, from Scotstoun attended a yoga class on opening day.
She said: “The place is lovely, It is really exciting and it will be a good thing for the area round about, and for Glasgow."
City council leader Frank
McAveety said: “The place is looking fantastic and members have been flocking here all morning trying out the classes and new gym equipment for themselves.
“Kelvin Hall has been at the heart of Glasgow’s sporting history over the years and it is fitting that it now hosts the biggest and best equipped gym in the city.
“This marks the opening of the first part of this fantastic venue and I hope Glaswegians will take real ownership of their newest public facility.”
The first phase of work is a collaboration between the city council, Glasgow Life, Glasgow University and the National Library of Scotland.