Construction of the V&A at Dundee is behind schedule but council chiefs have vowed it will open on time.
The complicated build of the Kengo Kuma-designed museum has proved a challenge for contractors, with a number of “non-critical” elements taking longer than anticipated.
Director of city development Mike Galloway said there would be no delay in its completion, however, after BAM Construction agreed to work atweekends to “claw back” time.
He has also pledged there will be no cost implications as a result of the delays, as he delivered a progress report on the V&A to councillors.
In recent weeks, onlookers have seen the building on which Dundee has placed so many hopes begin to rise from the ground. Completed works include the coffer dam, which has enabled the foundation construction for the part of the building that reaches into the Tay.
The delays noted in a council report to the policy and resources committee have had an impact on critical works, such as the construction of core and external walls, which are described as “slightly behind programme”.
#FridaySitePic 06Nov15 @BAMConstructUK @dundeecity @DDWaterfront pic.twitter.com/LKzkskfiaL
— V&A Dundee (@VADundee) November 6, 2015
MrGalloway said: “There have been delays in some elements of the building but we are working to claw back the time.BAM are working on Saturdays at the moment. This will have no impact upon the opening of the building.”
Ken Guild, convener of the council’s policy resources committee, said: “Since the end of March, when work first got under way at the site, good progress has already been made, both in terms of the actual construction, but also on the financial aspects of the project.
“Significant progress has been made with the Scottish Government andScottish Futures Trust on the proposed Growth Accelerator Model Fund forthe waterfront. In addition, a number of sub-contractors have been appointed and have been, or are, on-site for avariety of elements of the work.”
Behind the scenes, the council said all of the recommendations made by John McClelland in his report into theoverspending on the £80.1 millionproject had been implemented.
Mr McClelland paid £34,000 for his work made several recommendations, including that a comprehensive review of the budget for fixtures, furniture and equipment one of the few areas not been revised since the start of the project be carried out. It is now under way.
In order to ensure the projectprogresses smoothly, fortnightlymeetings are taking place between the design team and main contractors, formal progress meetings are taking place monthly and weekly workshops are being held to identify future issues before they can impact the build or add to costs.
If all goes to schedule, the building should be complete by the end of 2017 and open by June 2018.