One of Kirkcaldy’s most prominent public buildings was given a new identity yesterday.
The building known as the Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery will become Kirkcaldy Galleries, Library, Museum, Art Gallery and Visitor Information Centre from the spring following a £2.5 million renovation.
The decision was made by members of the town’s area committee, a change in name being seen as favourable for marketing the venue. However, there appeared to be little desire from councillors to change the existing name, many believing the new title is nothing but a compromise.
“I don’t see the point in changing the name at all,” Councillor Stuart MacPhail said. “People will still call it ‘the museum’ or ‘art gallery’.
“But if we don’t tell visitors what is in the building then they won’t come.”
The name follows a public consultation last year, after the decision to move visitor information services and the town library to Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery.
Following that consultation, the name Kirkcaldy Galleries emerged as the favourite among 81 suggestions.
Councillors expressed concern that no option to retain Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery had been presented and just 186 people had taken part in the consultation process, a sign, according to Councillor Lawrence Brown, that the public was happy with the building’s current title.
He said that “186 is very low”.
He added: “Does that not tell us something? That people are not very interested.”
Councillor David Ross warned that the committee would “lose credibility” by adopting a new name.
A motion to adopt Kirkcaldy Galleries, Library, Museum, Art Gallery and Visitor Information Centre received six votes, which tied it with an amendment proposing the title as Kirkcaldy Library, Museum and Art Gallery.
The tie was broken by committee chairman Neil Crooks, who used his casting vote to approve the motion.
He said: “I’m pleased that the committee have agreed to go with the name preferred by the majority of people who responded in the consultation.
“The outcome was a compromise that reflected some local opinion that there may have been no need for a change in the name, but also recognises the importance of having a new identity for the fully refurbished facility.”
jowatson@thecourier.co.uk