Assurance after delay to St Andrews project

The Courier, 6 June 2000

Work on the new £8 million Gateway business and leisure development in St Andrews is running behind schedule and is now due for completion in the middle of this month.

This was stated yesterday by the developer, St Andrews International, even though there was speculation in the town last night that the scheme was facing a "funding issue."

The uncertainty has arisen as builders have been continuing to put the finishing touches to the spectacularly designed building at the western entrance to the town.

The project is to house five-star accommodation for the recently formed St Andrews Golfing Society, conference facilities for up to 300 people, and a museum, information centre and "first port of call" for St Andrews University.

At a reception in March it was stated that the building would be ready for handover by May 15, but a spokesman said yesterday that work was about a month behind schedule.

If everything goes according to plan the society is expected to pen its doors first - well before the Open Championship - and would be offering local and international members bars, restaurants, and a fully equipped health club.

The university's information centre, and a museum that will feature priceless artifacts gathered over five centuries and never before opened to the public, are due to open a few weeks later.

Speculation within the town was fuelled by comments made about the project at last night's meeting of St Andrews Community Council. Later, however, The Courier learned from sources close to the project that while a "funding issue" had arisen, this was being addressed.

With the university set to play a key role in the development, sources there last night said its interests are safeguarded. It as believed the land is still owned by the university, but was leased to the developer on a long-term basis.

It is understood the university has secured the facilities in the development at no cost to itself and, in addition, will receive an annual ground rent from the company, which in the first five years would cover the set-up costs of the museum displays.