Home News Sport More work needed says reopened museum head

More work needed says reopened museum head

Thursday, 13 May 2010

MANAGEMENT at the recently reopened Natural History Museum has said much more work needs to be done to improve visitors’ safety and the conservation of exhibits. The museum officially reopened to the public on Wednesday, April 28 after it had been closed to the public for almost three years following the collapse of the main stairs in the building in July 2007. It resulted in the hospitalisation of 10 visitors, most of whom were on a school tour of the museum. Shortly after the incident the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and the Office of Public Works (OPW) announced that they would provide e15 million to cover a major safety overhaul of the building, as well as refurbishment works. However, the plan stalled in December 2008 because of budgetary cutbacks and in early 2009 the Government announced that it would only carry out basic works to allow the museum to reopen. The Government provided the museum with just under e500,000 to upgrade the structure. The repairs included replacing the staircase to the first floor, improving visitor safety and providing better access facilities, particularly for disabled people. The 19th century appearance of the museum now remains largely unchanged and most exhibits including familiar favourites such as the skeletons of 11,000-year-old giant deer, Spoticus the giraffe and whales are back in their original positions. However, following a safety audit two balconies on the first floor will remain closed to visitors until funds can be found for the provision of emergency exit routes and the redesign of balcony railings. Keeper of the Natural History Museum, Nigel Monaghan said he was delighted that the museum was reopening after such a long period of closure. “It will be great to hear the sound of children again after almost three years,” he said. “Nothing has been lost and a number of improvements have been made without affecting the historic interior much loved by our visitors.” He added that the 153-year-old building needed more funding from the Government to improve access and safety for visitors. “Extra money is needed for a new roof, which is desperately needed,” he said. “We would also use it to build a slim extension building in the laneway parallel to the museum to enable wheelchair access to all levels of the building. That would also give us all necessary fire exits.” Mr Monaghan said that if the museum was given extra funding management would also replace the existing roof, which he said was adversely affecting the conservation of the exhibits. “The roof could do with complete replacement,” he stated. “It has needed replacement for decades and it has had running repairs over a long time. If I had the smallest amount of money we would start with the roof. “You are trying to maintain objects in perfect condition for hundreds of years and to do that you need a good quality building,” he pointed out. “The roof leaks and it also lets in far too much daylight.” The Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport was unavailable for comment.