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Today Thursday 1st December 2005, on a damp afternoon, a gathering of some 150 guests took place in the Captain’s Room high above the Dollar campus for the formal opening of the Maguire Building. Only a year ago the JCB’s moved in to clear the site of its untidy, ramshackle buildings. In March, we saw a skeleton of steel grow from the cleared ground and then, over the summer months, a fury of activity and white vans so that by August the Art School was ready for classes, and the gymnasium, fitness suite and changing rooms were all in use. The autumn saw work continue on the new accommodation for grounds and maintenance teams and the completion of the beautiful three-storey rotunda containing drama studio, sixth year art studio and fabulous function room named the Captain’s Room after the Academy’s founder Captain John McNabb.

Here Mrs Margaret Maguire unveiled a plaque in memory of her late husband Brian Maguire FP, whose very substantial gift was so crucial to the funding of this project. The Rector John Robertson and Chairman of the Governors John Cameron told guests of their pride in what had been achieved by the efforts of so many individual minds and especially by the successful partnerships with Perthshire construction company Algo Ltd and with visionary architect Hans Grabowski. Guests, who represented areas of public life throughout Scotland, included members of the John McNabb Society who had earlier lunched in the Captain’s Room, Governors, former staff and members of the local community. The Chairman singled out two Governors for special praise, and made presentations to Mr John Logie and Mr Walter Faulds who had been closely involved at every stage of the project.

Soon afterwards groups moved through the bright, modern spaces to see young men and women enjoying their work as artists, potters, gymnasts, photographers and actors. In the latter part of the afternoon parents, also major participants in this enterprise, joined in the tours. Few who visited the Maguire Building today failed to recognise the historic nature of the day and the significant impact the innovative facilities will have on the education of present and future pupils.

The magnificent bowl created by Graham Stewart (FP)
and presented to Mrs Margaret Maguire.
Click on this picture for a larger image.