As part of our strategy Glasgow 2020 – A Global Vision, we have developed a Capital Plan  which sets out our key priorities for developing our estate over the next few years, and which Court has approved.  I’m sure we all recognise that our facilities must match our ambition and that we must aim to provide the best we can to support our staff and students, our teaching and research.   It’s one of the main reasons we budget to create a small surplus each year.

On Commemoration Day this year, I highlighted the fact that there is an opportunity on the horizon that offers possibilities and potential for a step change and a thrilling new chapter in our individual and institutional histories. Such possibilities don’t come along that often, so when they do, we want to make the most of them. 

We have recently acquired, and will have possession of the Western Infirmary site by 2015 and from then onwards it is ours to develop.

The background to this is interesting and shows the foresight of our predecessors back in the 1860s and 70s.  As a critical part of the University’s move from the High Street to the Gilmorehill, a public subscription was established in 1865 to fund the new build.   The aim was to raise £120,000.  As part of this appeal, a proportion of the funds raised, £24,000 to be exact, was to be set aside to build a new hospital in the West end, what came very quickly to be called the Western Infirmary.  Discussions took place on the actual location.  At first it was to be sited on the south of the river Kelvin at Clayslaps before it was finally agreed that there was better land and a better location on the north side, at Donaldshill and Gilmorehill, land owned by the University.  

In 1878 the Principal, Professors and Janitor ‘assigned, disposed and conveyed’ to the Managers of the Western Infirmary, among them merchants, oil refiners, brush manufactures, physician, ministers and shipbuilders, 52,540 square yards of land or ‘thereby equal to 10 acres, 3 roods, 16 poles and 66/100th parts of a pole Imperial measure.’

The transfer of course had certain conditions attached.  These  related to such things as the mutual upkeep of fencing, permissions to plant trees and shrubs,  the need for written permissions by both parties to build on either site  to avoid anything ‘offensive or incongruous’, that the hospital would not be permitted to admit or treat infectious diseases and that provision be made for University Professors to provide clinical instruction,  while Managers be entitled to appoint Medical officers.

The ninth and penultimate  condition  noted that if the ‘said Western Infirmary’ cease to ‘be used as a general hospital’…..the University would be entitled to re-acquire the land.

Some 133 years later, we are the beneficiaries of this clause, and what a prospect.  This has to be as big an opportunity, as exciting a challenge, as the move of the University  from the High Street to Gilmorehill nearly 150 years ago.  It’s a fantastic chance to reshape the campus, create an estate of significance and presence.

We need, of course, to plan carefully.  The period of greatest expansion and development since the move to Gilmorehill was probably in the 60s when such familiar builds as the QM Hall, Wolfson Hall, ‘Refectory’, QMU, the Mathematics and Rankine Building,  and first phase of the new Library were all built.  The Adam Smith Building was also completed, and opened in 1967.  

We are all, I’m sure, familiar with the worst of our 60s build and the challenge it poses to our maintenance and our energy costs, and therefore understand the responsibility, challenge but opportunity of moving from them to something special, fit for purpose, environmentally and economically sustainable, that will change the landscape and skyscape for generations.

It means too a marvellous economic opportunity for the City from 2015 onwards.  During a decade of economic uncertainty, this University will drive a major capital development totaling hundreds of millions of pounds, making the project one of the engines of employment and growth in Glasgow. 

We will be setting up a working group to begin a master plan for the site and no doubt there will be much discussion and community engagement as we seek to create a worthy addition to the iconic Gilbert Scott building.

I hope you will agree that, with this prospect before us, a sound financial base and  our strategy and new structures in place, the next ten  years offer this University tremendous scope to forge ahead.

First published: 29 June 2011

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