Aberdeen Art Gallery redevelopment delayed by a year
Completion now expected in late 2018 or early 2019
The reopening of Aberdeen Art Gallery is to be delayed by a least a year following complications on the £30m redevelopment, Aberdeen City Council announced this week.
The project was originally scheduled to have been completed by the end of this year, but the gallery is now expected to reopen in late 2018 or early 2019. The city council is discussing a revised schedule, and any budget implications, with the main contractor McLaughlin and Harvey.
“With any building of this age and complexity there will always be complications which can impact on the programme, and that has been the case with Aberdeen Art Gallery,” said councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council’s culture lead. “However, we are in discussions with the contractor regarding the circumstances of the extension to the programme.
“This is an important project for Aberdeen and it is imperative that what will be a lasting legacy for the city is completed to the exacting standards required for a development of this significance – but a delay of this nature is unacceptable. It is important the issues with the delivery of the project are fully examined and acted on.”
A report to the Finance, Policy and Resources committee on 1 December will outline the revised schedule, provide further detail on the issues which have led to the extension of the programme and potential budget implications.
“Current indications are that the contractor will conclude work on site in the first quarter of 2018,” Boulton said. “Following the handover from the main contractor a further fit out programme is required before the collections can be returned and the building is prepared for opening to the public.
"The final schedule is subject to the ongoing discussions but it is anticipated opening will be delayed until late 2018 or early 2019.”
The project was originally scheduled to have been completed by the end of this year, but the gallery is now expected to reopen in late 2018 or early 2019. The city council is discussing a revised schedule, and any budget implications, with the main contractor McLaughlin and Harvey.
“With any building of this age and complexity there will always be complications which can impact on the programme, and that has been the case with Aberdeen Art Gallery,” said councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council’s culture lead. “However, we are in discussions with the contractor regarding the circumstances of the extension to the programme.
“This is an important project for Aberdeen and it is imperative that what will be a lasting legacy for the city is completed to the exacting standards required for a development of this significance – but a delay of this nature is unacceptable. It is important the issues with the delivery of the project are fully examined and acted on.”
A report to the Finance, Policy and Resources committee on 1 December will outline the revised schedule, provide further detail on the issues which have led to the extension of the programme and potential budget implications.
“Current indications are that the contractor will conclude work on site in the first quarter of 2018,” Boulton said. “Following the handover from the main contractor a further fit out programme is required before the collections can be returned and the building is prepared for opening to the public.
"The final schedule is subject to the ongoing discussions but it is anticipated opening will be delayed until late 2018 or early 2019.”