Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop stood by the River Tay on Thursday to watch the exploration rig that holds the key to the £45 million V&A at Dundee project.
The rig is carrying out crucial tests on the state of the river bed that will help determine if the plan to build an off-shoot of the famous London museum will come in on time and on budget.
During her visit the minister announced the Scottish Government is offering an extra £1.75 million for the scheme, on top of the £16.5 million already pledged.
She said: ”It is fantastic to see investigative work under way to prepare the site for construction. With employment in that sector in Scotland predicted to grow at nearly twice the UK average over the next few years, it is clear this government’s decision to continue investing in capital projects such as this is paying dividends for jobs and the economy.”
The centre, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is due to open in 2015. For that to happen all the funding needs to be in place and the detailed planning has to be completed. The latter will depend on the findings of the 10-week site survey, with boreholes being sunk to check on the rocks and sediment.
Mike Collins, spokesman for the investigation team, said that so far they were getting good information. The rig is expected to continue checking the site until mid-March and once the results are analysed architects will be able to work out how to proceed.
Another crucial element is the demolition of the Olympia leisure centre.
City Council administration leader Ken Guild said its replacement was expected to open in October or November and work to bring down the old building would start soon after.
He added that negotiations were continuing with the Hilton Hotel, next to the Olympia, which will also have to come down as part of the central waterfront redevelopment.
Ms Hyslop was keen to emphasise the importance of the project, saying: ”It will attract visitors from all over the world and presents an opportunity to strengthen Dundee’s reputation as a centre for the creative industries.
”These additional funds will be used to support key activities associated with the project, including programming exhibitions, developing education programmes, working with designers and creative practitioners and fundraising.”
Philip Long, director of V&A at Dundee, said applications were being made for lottery and European grants to add to the capital budget which also requires a significant amount of private fundraising.
He said: ”We are very pleased with the significant progress that has been made. We have started the detailed marine investigations and we are making very good progress on the development of the building and we are working through the detailed planning and design.”