Construction is set to get going again to progress and complete elements key to the overall project, such as roofing works, permanent wind and water tight measures, and restoring the Caretaker's house building on the site of the Pavilion.
In preparation, preliminary works will be done later this month, such as surveys and removing landscaping and Cordyline trees. The council sought expert advice on the best options for preserving the trees. Circumstances however rule this out, so the intention is to develop a proposal for replacing landscaping around the Pavilion, with involvement from the local community, when construction progress allows.
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The Pavilion's transformation programme, by the council and funding partners, was mid-way through developing the grade A listed 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
A recent report outlined how a revitalised Pavilion could be a top visitor attraction, a resource for the island's communities, and a driver for Scottish and UK Government economic and social priorities such as skills for work, wellbeing, net zero goals, and boosting entrepreneurship.
The case for further 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.
Current funding partners include the European Regional Development Fund Scotland Programme 2014-2020, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Coastal Communities Fund.
