A £3.6million town hall refurbishment has been completed in time for its centenary celebrations.
A few finishing touches are all that is needed ahead of the reopening of the Sir John Wilson Town Hall, Airdrie, on Friday.
Cleaners are busy vacuuming and dusting the building, while technicians are carrying out tests on the new sound and lighting systems.
The hall, which marks its centenary in October, has been closed since spring 2010 to allow North Lanarkshire Council's refurbishment to take place.
A new extension has created space for a cafe, gallery, toilets, an automated booking office and a lift, allowing access for everyone to the entire building. New windows and blinds have been fitted throughout, dressing rooms have been refurbished and the stage has been levelled.
The building has been re-roofed and rendered, stonework has been cleaned and the entrance area remodelled.
The programme of upcoming events for the hall includes a mix of drama, comedy, music, children's shows and community arts activity.
And on the day of the reopening, the first event will be a wedding.
Following a tour of the building, Councillor Jim Logue said: "It looks amazing, the refurbishment has been very sensitively carried out and it is back looking its majestic best.
"Our aim is to make the town hall a cultural hub of the area and we have already lined up an impressive programme of events."
Funding came from the council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund, Biffa, LandTrust and Creative Scotland.
To book tickets or for more information call 01698 403120 or see the website www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk and click on 'buy tickets'.
stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk