GLASGOW.- The reopening of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum will take place on Tuesday 11 July after a £27.9million refurbishment. Before its closure in June 2003 to begin work on the refurbishment project, Kelvingrove was the most popular museum in the UK outside of London, attracting more than one million visitors every year.

Glasgow's Lord Provost Liz Cameron said, 'Like so many people from Glasgow and indeed all across the world, I am eagerly waiting the reopening of the city's favourite building. Kelvingrove houses not only a great collection, but also holds so many great memories for the people of Glasgow.

'The project has gone tremendously well, being a magnificent example of what we can achieve, with the City Council being joined by our project partners, added to the generosity of individuals and organisations through the Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal. The building will open on time and on budget to deliver a fantastic experience for the huge number of visitors from home and abroad that we expect to come to Kelvingrove.

'I am so proud of the Kelvingrove refurbishment project and simply delighted to have been involved with it from the start. Our Victorian ancestors bequeathed us the building and the great art collection to enrich our heritage. I am sure they would mightily approve of what has been achieved.'

The goal of the Kelvingrove restoration is to create modern facilities, services and displays while ensuring the restored building itself can be seen to its best effect and enjoyed by all visitors.

Key changes in the internal layout to Kelvingrove include a new temporary exhibition space, a conference and lecture theatre, education rooms, a restaurant, and shops. There will also be the Campbell Hunter Education Wing, which is due to open in 2007.

There will be an additional 35% of floor space in the refurbished building, largely due to access to the basement being available for the first time. Eight thousand pieces will be on display at the 'new' Kelvingrove, in comparison to 5,000 before the restoration began.

New (and old) features that seem destined to become Kelvingrove favourites are Spitfire LA198 from the 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, which is now hanging from the roof of the West Court; the Charles Rennie Mackintosh gallery, and a collection of significant Egyptian treasures loaned from the British Museum.

The return of the legendary Dali painting Christ of St John of The Cross from the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art seems certain to be extremely popular.

Lord Provost Liz Cameron is chair of the Kelvingrove Reopening working group, and was convener of Glasgow City Council's Cultural and Leisure Services committee when the Kelvingrove New Century Project began. She is also a board member of the Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal.