Ambitious plans to transform Dumbarton’s oldest building into a state-of-the-art library and museum have been given the go-ahead by councillors.
Glencairn House, in the town’s High Street, will undergo a major transformation which will include the construction of a three storey extension to create extra space to house the library and museum.
The works will be part-funded by a £19million grant from the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund, which is also set to transform the High Street with the demolition of the Artizan Centre and redevelopment of the main shopping hub in the town.
The property with its well-known arch windows has stood vacant for the last several years and will undergo a meticulous restoration of the existing structure while preserving its historic elements. As well as dedicated spaces for children and families, it will provide access to computers, quiet study areas and meeting spaces.
In addition, a standalone children’s library pavilion will be created at the back of the building, opening out onto a library garden centred on the existing tree which will become the garden’s ‘storytelling tree’.
Museum displays will be integrated throughout the building, featuring key objects from the Council’s museum, archive, and local history collections that tell stories of Dumbarton.
Items on display will include some of the oldest in the Council’s collection, including a Roman Medallion from 193AD and the bronze ‘Skellat Bell’ from around 900AD.
Sections of the building are set to be clad in a colourful ceramic tile, which architect Suzy Brown said is closely linked to the history of the area.
She said: “The key colour is a turquoise colour that comes from the glass objects made in the glassworks but we see this repeated in the Roman coin and also from the ropes in the river itself and Dumbarton Rock.”
Members of West Dunbartonshire Council’s Planning committee discussed the report on the project, before agreeing the proposals will be taken forward.
Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, chair of the planning committee, said: “We are thrilled to have this project approved and taking a significant step in the regeneration of Dumbarton town centre.
“We are committed to preserving its historic significance while creating a modern library and museum that will serve as a valuable community asset for generations to come.
“It’s taken significant work from the teams involved and we’ve appreciated all the feedback from residents on this project.”
Dumbarton councillor David McBride, convener of the local authority’s infrastructure, redevelopment and economic development committee, added: “I’m really pleased and excited to see how this project is going to reshape this historic building, while giving a nod to its historical significance in the design through the proposed colour palette and materials.
“There will be many people from the area that will remember it being open and know the potential of the building and now we’ll be able to create new memories for future generations.”
Once work is complete, the current Dumbarton Library will be transformed into a community collections store and archive, open to the public.
WDC say that the new facility will, for the first time, enable access to the stored objects and documents in West Dunbartonshire’s heritage collections.
