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Roundhay's Mansion merits a massive mention
The new visitor and education centre at the Mansion in Roundhay Park looks set to open in the middle of next month. Click here for full details.
The news was given to the Friends of Roundhay Park by Coun John Procter, executive board member for leisure.
He said: "It is a fantastic amenity and well worth the wait.
"The centre will allow people to learn more about the Mansion and the park," he said.
"The beauty of the building and its surroundings are enhanced when you appreciate the role the Mansion has played in the history of the city."
Coun Matthew Lobley (Cons, Roundhay) said: "When we consulted people about what they wanted to see in the Mansion, the original proposals were transformed to reflect their wishes. Now it is great to see the plans coming to fruition."
The visitor and education centre has been built partly on the site of the now-demolished Phoenix Bar which was not a listed part of the Mansion.
Engineers found that two of the walls in the Phoenix were unstable and it had to come down.
Coun Procter updated the Friends on the progress towards re-opening the Lakeside Cafe which was seriously damaged by fire in January.
He revealed that work had been delayed by wrangling between the council's insurers and the cafe tenant's insurers.
"The thing that caused the fire, a refrigeration unit, belonged to David Rogers." he explained. "But he insures the contents of the building only and not the fabric.
"So we had two insurers and two loss adjusters debating every single thing which was hugely frustrating. One insurer said all the building needed was a new coat of paint and the other said it ought to come down."
Coun Procter said he hoped contractors would repair the shell of the building by the end of next March and then David Rogers could bring in his workmen to fit the cafe out. He forecast that the new look would make the building more flexible.
"Some preliminary works have started," he said.
"Internal fixtures and the floor have been stripped out."
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 18 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 12 C
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Wind direction: North east
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