The Stage

Page & Park to renovate Eden Court

Published Tuesday 17 February 2004 at 12:05

Glasgow-based architect Page & Park has been appointed to lead the £10 million renovation project at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.

Work on site will begin in spring 2005, with completion in time for a year-long celebration of Highland culture in 2007. The project will include the construction of a 250-seat second theatre and two cinemas, along with new dance and drama studios and a digital media studio.

Page & Park has most recently been responsible for the renovation and extension of The Lighthouse - Scotland’s centre for architectre and design - and the Centre for Contemporary Arts, both in Glasgow.

Douglas Yule, the chairman of Eden Court’s board of trustees, said: “This is an incredibly strong design team who bring to the table substantial experience in their chosen fields, combined with very valuable specialist skills. We are looking for cutting-edge engineering and design to create a 21st century building for the region.”

Built in 1976, Eden Court Theatre serves the entire far-flung area of the north of Scotland. The current venue, which has an 800-seater auditorium, stages 300 performances a year with audiences up by 40% in the past four years. It is hoped the redeveloped and extended Eden Court will be the first part of a planned £20 million cultural quarters on the River Ness next to Inverness Cathedral. Highland Region is anxious to develop the riverside as a major recreation attraction.

• Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, has been made the Royal Patron of Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre.