The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
First Minister signals more investment for waterfront
Nicola Sturgeon has said it is difficult to overstate the impact the V&A will have in transforming Dundee.
And the SNP leader signalled that more investment is on its way to the City of Discovery following reports fresh plans are being drawn up for a concert hall and opera house on the waterfront.
Ms Sturgeon hailed the £80 million museum, and its impact on the city, ahead of tomorrow’s official opening.
At First Minister’s Questions, she said: “In terms of its transformational potential for the city of Dundee, I think it’s probably quite hard to overstate what that might be.
“It puts Dundee firmly on the cultural map of the world.
“It will attract more visitors to Dundee, I’m sure it will attract more investment into Dundee.
“I think the city of Dundee has every reason right now to feel incredibly optimistic about the future.”
She added: “The Scottish Government is very ambitious for Dundee and looks forward to making additional investments in Dundee.”
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma designed the museum with the aim of creating a “living room for the city”.
It is expected to attract 500,000 visitors in its first year.
In a speech in Dundee on Wednesday night, Scottish Secretary David Mundell predicted the V&A Dundee will “quickly become as wellloved as our other great institutions”, including the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
“It will delight our senses, challenge our preconceptions and, of course, nurture young minds for generations to come,” he added.