£66mBurrellrevamp due to start next year
DOWNLOA D WORK on a massive revamp of the Burrell Collection in Pollok Park is due to start in March next year.
A report which will go to councillors on Thursday says the latest estimated cost of the project is now £66million with half of that funded by the city council.
The Heritage Lottery Fund is expected to provide £15m with the remaining £18m raised through fundraising.
A schedule of work shows the planning application is due to be lodged this month with the first stage of the main contract awarded in September and the second stage awarded in February next year.
Work will start in March 2018 and the Burrell is due to reopen to the public late in 2020.
The building was opened by the Queen in 1983 but deteriorated to such an extent that the collections were put at risk.
Visitor numbers also fell dramatically due to the poor visitor experience and poor access to the collections.
The Burrell closed in October last year and detailed plans are being drawn up to make it more attractive to both local people and tourists.
That is likely to include a new main entry point to Pollok Park at Nether Pollok playing fields, improving the management and care of the building and collections.
The report says: “These proposals will support the establishment of potential tourist routes incorporating other major visitor attractions on the South Side of Glasgow, help- ing to draw tourists and economic activity to this area of the city.
“The refurbished Burrell will greatly improve access to the building and the collections.
“Improvements include additional entrances, dedicated learning and community spaces and assisted changing facilities.
“Over 90% of the collection will be made accessible to the public compared to 20% which was displayed prior to refurbishment.
“This will be achieved by creating 22% more public space.”