MyGlasgow News

As outlined in the last issue of Campus E-News, plans have been unveiled to build a new £13.4 million sports and social facility. This will see the demolition of the existing 1960s Glasgow University Union (GUU) extension on Gibson Street, which houses The Hive nightclub, to be replaced with a new five-storey structure connecting the GUU to the Sports & Recreation’s Stevenson Building on Oakfield Avenue.

The proposals were the focus of a highly successful public-engagement event held in the GUU on Tuesday 20 November, over 200 invites were distributed and the event was attended by around 60 staff, students and local residents.

Jennifer Russell, from Estates and Buildings told E-News, “It was great to be able to share some of the detail of what will be a major project. There were some interesting questions on timescale, scope of the project and what the building will look like when completed. I have to say all feedback to date has been extremely positive.”

An application for planning consent will be submitted to Glasgow City Council early in December, and the hope is that demolition of the existing structures will begin in February, with construction of the new building beginning in the spring of 2013.

Key features of the planned 4,191m² building include:

• New, modern facilities for The Hive, featuring a nightclub and four cafe/bars with wi-fi access
• Four court multi-purpose activity hall with viewing gallery
• Increased cardiovascular and stretching provision
• Increased muscle conditioning provision
• Increased exercise studio space including a martial arts dojo studio

The plans allow for greater public access than is currently available, so that local residents may enjoy the benefits of our new and improved facilities.

The University approved the redevelopment plans at the end of the summer and a team led by ECD Architects and Page & Park created a design that forms the basis of the project.

A PDF of the Stevenson-Hive project is attached. 

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First published: 30 November 2012