REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Working at height isn’t our usual forte, but last week we were presented with an unmissable opportunity to address essential long-term goals and see the main auditorium from a fresh viewpoint. With the expertise at our disposal, it would have been rude not to! 

Over the past year, our focus has been on managing various investigative building projects central to ensuring the venue’s watertightness. 

Anna, Lynn, Douglas and Aisha during their trip on the floating platform to see UK Rigging’s work.

Accessing the high level above the main stage has long been on our horizon, although not directly related to our watertight goals, certainly for its intrinsic importance in safety measures and enhancing wind resistance.  

This is a crucial step toward improving health and safety for those working at height, facilitating essential maintenance and enabling high-level improvements from within the building. This is important in improving and increasing the opportunities for future performances, especially in relation to access and lighting. 

We have been collaborating with UK Rigging on an ongoing basis. Months ago, we joined forces with them to review our needs and share thoughts, building on their previous successful involvement in smaller projects within our venue, including being on hand to help replace our window covers when we couldn’t get them back up (it’s almost impossible to tell they’re difference sizes!). Last week we completed work above the stage which included the removal of the old unsafe wooden grid beams and replacing them with a new, secure steel walkway system. 
 
The process began with the construction of a floating platform, suspended from above by chains, allowing UK Rigging to carry out the necessary works without the need for extensive scaffolding. Beyond safety improvements, this system offered the flexibility to transport materials to high levels with ease and facilitated the removal of obsolete items including two old water tanks. The combined weight of the timber and metalwork removed from the space added up to more than 3.5 tonnes, and their recycle value has helped to put some of the costs back into the repairs. 

It was a pleasure to welcome all the suppliers who contributed to bringing this project to fruition and welcome back riggers and engineers who have worked in the building before. Thanks to Silverback Events, Stage Hire Scotland, Laserworld Engineering, FH Brundle and Quick Reach, who brought along the cutest forklift truck.  

It was such a privilege as a team to share the thrilling experience on the floating platform up to the new system 11.5 metres above the stage, giving us a unique opportunity to look out towards the Main Auditorium from behind the PERSEVERE crest from a space accessed by so few. 

Next up, house lighting...but that’s a whole other story! 

View of the Main Auditorium from the floating platform.