Geelong Gallery closes for roof replacement

GEELONG Gallery has shut its doors to replace part of its aged roof, but aims to reopen at the weekend.

In an email to its subscribers, the gallery in Little Ryrie Street in central Geelong stated it would close from today (Monday, March 3).

If the roof repair works are completed on schedule and not interrupted by weather, the gallery will be open again this Saturday, March 8.

The roof replacement works at the Little Malop Street entrance will allow for the refurbishment of roofing and infrastructure above the Geelong Gallery foyer.

This area and the neighbouring Sidney Myer Gallery were built in 1971 as a contemporary update to the gallery’s architecture.

The design was completed by Buchan, Laird and Buchan, a firm including descendants of the architects of the GM Hitchcock Memorial Art Gallery, Geelong Gallery’s first exhibition gallery that opened in 1915.

Geelong Gallery has a plan for a major expansion of its site, which would include taking over the neighbouring Conference Centre and the shared use, with the City of Greater Geelong, of a ceremonial and civic space inside a redeveloped City Hall.

It is seeking commitments of up to $120 million from local, state and federal governments over five years to make it happen.