Irvine bandstand is welcomed in style to its new home!
Pupils from two schools combined to create an appropriately grand musical opening for a very special bandstand in Irvine.
St Mark’s Primary School, Irvine won the original bandstand from the town’s Bridgegate, which had to be relocated for the multi-million pound new public realm works that are helping to transform the town centre.
The competition to find a new home for the bandstand, Rethinking Bandstand, was run by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, and the fully restored structure is now set in freshly landscaped grounds within the school.
The competition was open to all schools and community groups in Irvine Bay and the pupils and staff of St. Mark’s Primary beat off stiff competition from the other three other short-listed schools.
The official opening of the bandstand saw music from St. Matthew's Academy, Saltcoats school band and singing from St. Mark's Primary own choir, and poetry readings from pupils.
Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, said: “It is fantastic to see the bandstand being put to such terrific use. The quality of entries for the competition was very high, and this shows that St Mark’s were worthy winners."
The public realm works are part of a major town centre regeneration of Irvine being led by Irvine Bay and North Ayrshire Council along with other partners.