Bandstand back on track in park

The regenerated space will provide opportunities to stage all the traditional things the bandstand used to host; performances, entertainment, musical events, rallies, and more.

Pollokshields councillor David Meikle is delighted with the news.

He told The Extra: “It is great to see this part of Queen’s Park upgraded. The facilities which will ultimately result from the work will benefit the whole community.

“There’s a lot of positive things happening in the park, such as the establishment of the Friends of Queen’s Park group, the new panda sculpture and now this.

“I wish the Queen’s Park Arena project well for the future.”

Astaging canopy with electric supply is being installed and the existing brick structure extended and refurbished to include changing facilities.

There will also be toilets and an area that can accommodate refreshment facilities.

A spokesman for the Queen’s Park Arena project told The Extra: “We’re really excited and can’t wait for it all to be finished, so the events can begin.

“The space will be an asset to the whole city of Glasgow not just the southside. It will be unique; attracting touring companies and events to the city and enabling the area to take part in city-wide festivals.”

Commenting on The Extra’s Facebook page, El Ahrairah said: “This is really great news for Queen’s park.”

The makeover from former bandstand to modern performance space began in 2009.

The bandstand was built in the 1890s in another location in Queen’s Park but by 1912 had moved to its final site.

A new brick bandstand was built in the 1930s and the amphitheatre, which still exists, was created.

In 1996, the bandstand was destroyed by fire and the site has been derelict ever since.

During the first phase, at a cost of £250,000, the area was made safe by filling in old mine workings and the existing amphitheatre terrace was restored.

The area around the bandstand was also drained.

Glasgow-based ZM Architecture was selected as the winner of a nationwide contest to design the new bandstand.

The winning concept was a brass structure with cantilevered panels which can be raised to form a roof.

The Queen’s Park arena launch event took place in October 2012.