An iconic landmark at The University of Queensland’s Ipswich Campus is undergoing a facelift to ensure its preservation and historic relevance.
The Blair Pavilion, the two-storey building located at the rear of the Campus along the perimeter of the Sandy Gallop Golf Club, is being restored to secure its exterior and protection for the future.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Alan Rix said UQ’s Property and Facilities Division had commissioned a maintenance plan for the exterior fabric of the Blair Pavilion to ensure its preservation for future plans and development of the building.
He said architect Richard Lonn had completed a five-year plan in 2007 which recommended a staged approach to the restoration of the exterior.
"Following consultation with the EPA, tenders were called for the first two stages, with the works contract awarded to H&G Contractors who are currently progressing the works," he said.
"This involves the cleaning, repair and painting of the roof and the building’s distinctive ventilators, as well as cleaning, repair and painting of the upper storey stucco façade, windows, grills and soffits.
"A specific priority of the project is to ensure the building is water tight to prevent water damage."
Professor Rix said subsequent stages to the preservation project would include the replacement of the lower roof, repair to timber work, cleaning and repointing of the brickwork.
He said a number of options were being considered for the future purpose of the building.
Built in 1908, the Blair Pavilion is the grand structure which overlooks the southern suburbs of Ipswich and is most visible along Warwick Road, Churchill.
Ipswich builder J Whitehead was awarded the contract to build this impressive Federation arts and craft style building in 1907 for the sum of £6,545. The Blair Pavilion housed the criminally-insane patients of the Challinor Centre, formerly known as the Sandy Gallop Lunatic Asylum.
The cost of the current restoration project is valued at $200,000.
Media: UQ Ipswich Marketing Manager Loretta Porche on 0418 772 819 or l.porche@uq.edu.au
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