On this occasion, it is a forlorn-looking stranger with a dog, shaking his head and probably pondering the same questions as us: how did one of Glasgow’s best-loved venues fall into such disrepute? And why, after a concerted campaign that began in earnest 10 years ago, is it still such a pockmark on the picturesque landscape of Kelvingrove Park?

Only the curvy amphitheatre seating, with a surprising capacity of over 3000, gives a clue to Kelvingrove Bandstand’s rich heritage. Built in 1924, it was designed by architect James Miller and hosted a raft of diverse events throughout the century, from brass band concerts to family days out and rock gigs featuring Simple Minds and Wet Wet Wet. As an unusual outdoors venue for community events, in 2000 it was declared a B-listed site by Historic Scotland, which cited its “cultural and social significance”. Yet by this time, the bandstand had already been shut down and has been left to rack and ruin ever since. The entire area is now fenced off as a hazardous no-go zone, with the partially collapsed stage already a sorry indicator of the bandstand’s dilapidated state.

“Unless something is done about it, it will get worse and worse until probably falling down altogether,” sighs Restrick, a 23-year-old theatre studies student at Glasgow University. She became so disheartened from passing the site on her way to her department every day that she got together a group of students to head up a new campaign to restore the monument to its former glory. Since then, the Amphitheatre Restoration Committee (ARC) has written letters, campaigned to the student press and even filmed a documentary.

“We thought about fundraising and doing the whole renovation ourselves, but Glasgow City Council has legal responsibility over the whole area.” So the committee’s aims have crystallised: to put “public pressure” on Glasgow City Council to finally set a date for a renovation which many believe is long overdue.

Yet the ARC is only the most recent chapter in the tale of this crusade, instigated by Friends of Kelvingrove Park (FOKP) over a decade ago. It brought forward a business study in 2005, aided by private and council bodies, which estimated a restoration project would cost £586,000.

Robert Booth, chief executive of Land and Environment Services, was impressed by the study, believing it had shown “a robust business case, demonstrating financial stability for the bandstand operation”.

With this endorsement, it looked like 2006 could have marked a breakthrough for the campaign. A motion was put to the Scottish Parliament by Labour MSP for Kelvin, Pauline McNeill, forcefully backed by members of the local community. Media coverage of the campaign stepped up a notch, with rousing editorials in the national press and several darlings of the Scottish music scene declaring their support for the once-legendary venue, including Belle and Sebastian, Teenage Fanclub and the RSNO. “It’s such a fantastic Glasgow landmark, and it’s a great wasted opportunity,” said Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, amid frenzied reports that a renovation could be completed in time for a reopening concert in 2007. But the ambitious plans vanished, and the now estimated £1.3m

needed for the project is still a pipedream, whilst the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum on the opposite side of the road sits fully refurbished to the tune of around £28m.

Glasgow City Council has told The Herald that representatives have been recently meeting with FOKP to discuss the business report, but “agreement has still to be reached about some of the content of the report”. If both parties establish a consensus, it will go through two further administrative committees before it can be finally approved. “It is expected that a report will be finalised by the end of January,

followed by the consultation period,” said a spokesperson.

But the council won’t be drawn on how long that period will take or where any disagreements have arisen. So why has the council, as its detractors have claimed, been so reluctant to financially commit? Political sources have speculated that the bandstand will only get the go-ahead if it can prove to be an all-year round, weather-proof venue, conforming to a new set of approved standards. Yet FOKP insist that a renovated bandstand in its traditional form would be hugely versatile and could be used “for a wide range of events”, including arts performances in the summer and astronomy lectures in the winter. “Every month our website receives messages of support, as well as many who are angry that such a simple building restoration has taken so long.”

Restrick senses a deeper shift in priorities. “The bandstand is a landmark and not immediately obvious as a profitable, commercial venue. In these hard economic times, it is understandable that funding is being focused on other areas, like the Commonwealth Games in 2014. But why should the bandstand fit in with that agenda? That is a here today, gone tomorrow event. A restored bandstand would be a

permanent part of our cultural and civic life.”

The council is adamant that “funding for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games has no influence on this project”, while sources stress the council’s commitment to arts ventures, in spite of extensive budget cuts over the next three years.

Whichever way, 2010 could be a make or break year for the project. If the council keeps its New Year resolution, we could all be looking over the gates at a lovingly restored bandstand as early as a year from now, hosting music, theatre, science and comedy events as if it had never closed. But the tortuous history of this faded wonder tells Restrick, and all her fellow campaigners, that the story is far from over.

For more info, see www.kelvingrovepark.com