Kelvin Hall reopens as arts and sports complex after £35 million revamp

The redevelopment of Kelvin Hall in Glasgow is a collaboration between the city council, the University of Glasgow, the National Library of Scotland and Glasgow Life.

The building now houses around 1.9 million objects from collections managed by Glasgow University's Hunterian Museum and Glasgow Museums.

It is also the new home for the National Library of Scotland's Moving Image Archive, which offers easy access to thousands of films and videos capturing more than 100 years of Scotland's history, while visitors can also access the library's extensive digital resources.

One of Scotland's biggest health and fitness facilities, Glasgow Club at Kelvin Hall, is incorporated into the building and it features a sports court, gymnastics hall, fitness studios and gym.

The structure, which formerly housed a sports arena and Glasgow's transport museum, closed in August 2014 for refurbishment.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was at the reopening on Friday, and 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, housing the National Library of Scotland's Scottish Screen Archive and hosting the hidden treasures of the Hunterian and Glasgow Museums collections.

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

"The Scottish Government will provide a further £2 million to the second phase of redevelopment to complete the Kelvin Hall's transformation to a showcase for Scotland's culture and heritage for decades to come."

Kelvin Hall was rebuilt in 1926-1927 following a fire in an earlier building and hosted exhibitions and concerts by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Sir Elton John and The Kinks before becoming the city's transport museum in the 1980s.

In 2014, it was the official uniform and accreditation centre for the Commonwealth Games.

Council leader Frank McAveety said: "Everyone has their own memory of the Kelvin Hall and I'm delighted that we have been able to breathe new life into this much-loved building.

"Working with our partners, we have transformed this building into an inspirational cultural and sporting complex of international scale and quality."

The second phase of the refurbishment will see the building further developed as an arts space, while the city's Charles Rennie Mackintosh treasures will be shared with the public.

The project has been funded by Glasgow City Council, the University of Glasgow, National Library of Scotland, the Scottish Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.