WORK could start early next year on restoring the historic bandstand in Kelvingrove Park.

A planning application for the work has been lodged and efforts are being made to raise the £1.8million cost of the work.

The bandstand, the only one of its kind in the city, was built in 1924 and at one timke regularly attracted crowds of up to 7000 people. It closed in the 1990s.

Glasgow Building Preservation Trust is behind the plan to restore the bandstand and amphitheatre, which are B Listed.

Director Anne McChlery is hopeful work will begin early next summer and be finished in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

A number of organisations, including the city council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Landfill Community Fund, Glasgow City Heritage Trust and distiller William Grant and Sons, have agreed to contribute towards the cost.

A new funding application is also being considered by Historic Scotland.

Ms McChlery said: "We are reasonably confident of getting about £1.2m and are continuing to raise fund.

"We are making applications to other funding sources and I hope we will be successful."

The extensive cost of the work is partly due to the poor condition of the bandstand, which was found to have asbestos and had suffered water damage because of roof problems.

Ms McChlery said: "That had to be dealt with and cleared out and was costly.

"We have also had to do a lot of investigative work because we have something that was built in the 1920s and the way it was built then is not necessarily how we would build it now.

"The amphitheatre is built of concrete and has been open to the elements since it was laid, so sheets are coming away.

"It is also a big place, which can take 2500, so a lot of work is involved if this is going to be a place that has another 80 or 90 years ahead of it.

"It also has to comply with the safety standards expected of a venue of this kind."

Ms McChlery said the extent of the work would depend on how much money is raised.

She said: "For example, the two ticket booths have been renewed over the past 30 years, when flat roofs were put on them.

"We think it would be nice to put domes back on them because it would mark their presence very well from Kelvin Way, but we don't know if we will have money for that.

"The bandstand is important because there is nothing quite like it. It is in a beautiful setting in one of our top parks."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk