Rothesay Pavilion is on track for stage one completion for August next year, aided by a new £6.1M funding investment, Argyll and Bute Council said today (Thursday).
The council say that construction work will resume in May on the much-loved Bute building, following additional funding from Argyll and Bute Council as part of its economic regeneration of the island.
A multi-million-pound investment programme, by the council and funding partners, was mid-way through transforming the internationally-acclaimed building into an entertainment, events, business venue, and community hub, for local people and visitors to Bute. This was halted by the impact of the Covid pandemic, the building contractor going into administration during lockdown, and competition and costs for construction resources increasing since then.
This new investment could mean that the final two stages of restoring the Grade A listed Pavilion, as a modern-day resource, could be completed by July 2025 – if additional funding is secured.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Argyll and Bute Council policy lead for finance and commercial services said: “Innovative and ambitious thinking are key in moving from difficult times such as we’re in now, to prosperity. This new investment is the next step in turning Rothesay Pavilion into a driver for Bute’s future, and for national growth priorities.”
The case for investment is set out in a funding brochure produced by Rothesay Pavilion Charity, the social enterprise which will run the building as a thriving concern when refurbishment works are complete.
A lobbying group, of councillors, council staff and a Pavilion Charity representative, have agreed an action plan to secure the additional funding needed to deliver the transformed facility.
Janice Forsyth, chair of Rothesay Pavilion Charity added: “We are delighted that Argyll and Bute Council has chosen to reinforce the collective vision for the Pavilion as a catalyst to drive economic regeneration and further cultural expansion on this stunning island of Bute.
“With our partners and funders, we are passionately committed to saving Rothesay Pavilion for future generations as a true internationally-acknowledged Scottish architectural gem. Future benefits we envisage include the Pavilion becoming an eco-tourism centre of excellence, a prestigious events venue and business base, and next generation centre of learning with numerous local career opportunities.”
See next week’s Isle of Bute News for more reaction.
