16 October 2006

 

CAITHNESS HORIZONS WORKING WITH THE EXPERTS

As the Thurso Town Hall refurbishment project gathers momentum the project team and board of directors are seeking advice from other experts in the field.

 

Charlie Ingham has been appointed to advise the Caithness Horizons team and impart his valuable knowledge and experience.  He was responsible for managing the final development phases of the prestigious Rutherglen Town Hall redevelopment project, which also received a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and is currently the venue manager at Rutherglen. 

 

Mr Ingham said: “I am delighted to be associated with Caithness Horizons.  The project promises to deliver an outstanding facility which will benefit both the local community and visitors to the area.  Caithness has a fascinating history and story well worth telling and many attractions that as yet are relatively undiscovered.”

 

Key members of the project team have also recently visited neighbouring Orkney, to explore scope for collaboration, best practice exchange and joint initiatives on museums and related issues.  It proved to be a very productive meeting, covering cultural and educational issues as well as museum policy and archaeology, and a good relationship has been formed that will hopefully continue to develop with the project.

 

Tenders are being sought for an experienced marketing consultant to develop and implement the pre-opening marketing plan for Caithness Horizons in preparation for the launch in 2008.  Appointment of the successful candidate is scheduled for December this year.

 

In line with their grant of £1m, the Heritage Lottery Fund closely scrutinises the project and HLF monitors are in attendance at quarterly project meetings.  In their latest report they fully endorse the progress to-date.

 

Paul Cariss, Caithness Horizons Chairman, said: “It’s very heartening to receive support from our counterparts in the industry, and as the project progresses their expert advice and assistance will be invaluable to us.  I also take great comfort in that our major funding partner’s are satisfied we are doing a good job at this early stage.

 

“On behalf of Caithness Horizons I would also like to take this opportunity to formally thank the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, following their recent contribution of £100,000.  Securing our capital funding package is vital and such a generous sum means a great deal to us.”

 

The first phase of enabling work by MM Miller (Wick) Ltd. is ongoing with the soil sampling complete and building surveys continuing.  The tender for the main construction work is to be issued later this year, with the detailed interior design phase now nearing completion.

 

Information regarding the building refurbishment and the project’s progress will be regularly updated on the Caithness Horizons website.  Photographs of the Thurso Museum artefacts will also be available in the near future.