Glasgow’s iconic Kelvin Hall has been officially reopened by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, at a special ceremony today (November 11).

The First Minister unveiled a plaque to commemorate the £35 million refurbishment of the former international sporting venue, and was given a tour of the building.

The ceremony was conducted before an audience of specially invited guests, including a delegation from the Smithsonian, which will further collaborate with the University of Glasgow on courses and new research facilities at Kelvin Hall.

Nicola Sturgeon opens Kelvin Hall

Kelvin Hall is a unique collaboration of organisations, under the same roof working together offering open access to resources for learning and teaching.

The building houses the University of Glasgow’s new study and teaching centre; the Hunterian Museum and Glasgow Museum store collections; Glasgow Life’s state-of-the-art gym and sporting facilities; and the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive.

During her opening speech the First Minister said: "Having seen a variety of uses in its 90 year history, the Kelvin Hall is now home to some of Glasgow's finest cultural attractions.

"And it's fitting that following the huge success of Glasgow 2014, one of Scotland's biggest health and fitness centres in now open at the Kelvin Hall."

The first minister announced that the Scottish government will provide a further £2m towards the second phase of redevelopment which could see the venue house Glasgow University's Hunterian Museum.

Nicola Sturgeon at Kelvin Hall‌

Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal of the University of Glasgow, who also gave a speech at today’s official opening, said: “Today marks a momentous day in the history of Kelvin Hall. The multipurpose venue provides an exceptional addition to what the University is able to offer our community.

“Students attending our new and innovative courses at Kelvin Hall will benefit immensely from a unique way of learning, and along with researchers will not only have access to the 1.5 million objects which the world renowned Hunterian Museum holds, but also the Glasgow Museums collection and the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive, all under one roof.

“Kelvin Hall will allow the University of Glasgow to build on its international reputation for world changing, collection-based research and teaching. It will enable us to forge new academic and educational partnerships and practices.”

Professor Murray Pittock, Pro-Vice Principal of the University of Glasgow, said: “Kelvin Hall has already attracted interest from a wide range of organisations cross the world from Christie’s Education, via the Re-Enlightenment project based in New York but with hubs in Cambridge and now London, to the Smithsonian.
He added: “It will help students wanting to study at the University of Glasgow to engage through the many objects housed at Kelvin Hall, it will enable postgraduate students to train using direct access to collections and the new digital portal, with more than 200,000 images which can be utilised for research purposes. It is a world leading facility and is excellence available to all.”

The reinvention of Glasgow’s historic exhibition hall as a cultural, academic and sporting complex of international significance is helping to drive forward the city’s capacity for learning and innovation, contribute to its cultural, social and economic regeneration and inspire a new generation to lead a healthier and more actively lifestyle.

The project, which has brought 50 per cent of the building back into use, has been funded by Glasgow City Council, the University of Glasgow, National Library of Scotland, Scottish Government, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.

The strength of the collaborations of public sector, local and national government partners has breathed new life into, and secured, one of the nation’s most important buildings for generations to come.

Nicola Sturgeon gives speech at Kelvin Hall

First published: 11 November 2016

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