Changing Rooms – forty years on!
Published: 31 August 2011
Randolph Hall is given a new lease of life after forty years
Did anyone notice that our beautiful Randolph Hall was looking a bit tired? As well it might after forty years of events and celebrations – not to mention all those excited graduands passing through!
Well the Estates & Buildings staff supervising our building fabric did, and at a meeting with Niall McCallum, Assistant Building Surveyor, they decided that it was about time for a makeover. Time, however, was the one thing which was not on their side…
Derek Johnston and Andy Dragsnes were the supervisors in charge at that meeting on 4 August, and with the Randolph’s busy schedule, they realised they had only 19 days to restore the Hall to its former glory. That included arranging contractors, painters, the erection of scaffolding, the creation of unique custom stencils and even the mixing of special paints. The extensive wood panelling also required to be meticulously cleaned and revarnished.
Nonetheless, they decided to take on the challenge – even though each of the 900 motifs on the main wall had to be hand painted! A crack team of five painters worked seven days a week on the project, and succeeded in not just finishing the job on time, but three days ahead of schedule!
Principal Anton Muscatelli was one of those who stopped by to commend their tremendous efforts. He said, “I am so impressed by the determination and commitment this team have shown in getting the Randolph Hall ready in time. Their craftsmanship is excellent, and it is once again a venue to be proud of.”
The painters included Mark Murphy, Tom Martin and Gary Peacock from Estates & Buildings, and Billy Campbell and Gary Watson from Newlands Decorators. JR Scaffold and our own E&B electricians completed the team.
Director of Estates & Buildings, Jim McConnell, said: “Giving one of our public venues a new lease of life after forty years is a great piece of work. We are often quick to criticise when works do not go to plan, so I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the team for a job well done.”
First published: 31 August 2011
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