Helsinki Music Centre to be completed by spring of 2011

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The construction of the Helsinki Music Centre will commence in the coming autumn.
      The work on the building’s frame and roof is expected to last for a year and a half. By the turn of 2010 the appearance of the centre should be perceptible.
      The work on the site can start soon, for after long deliberation the management of the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) decided on Wednesday that it would take part in the project.
      The matter is yet to be confirmed by the YLE board of governors, which consists of members of the government parties. The decision is not expected to be reversed.
      The Music Centre real estate company will officially decide on the construction on Thursday.
     
The contract will be taken on by the construction company SRV and its team of workers that has been building the Flamingo entertainment centre next to the shopping mall Jumbo in Vantaa. The team will complete its work in Vantaa by the end of June.
      “The construction of the Music Centre will reach its height at the beginning of 2010”, estimates SRV project manager Jussi Uusivirta.
      At that time finishing touches will put to the exterior, while the interior work is getting started. Around 200-300 men may then work on the site.
      According to Uusivirta it is possible that the price of the building may still come down somewhat.
      “Sure, all the economy measures have already been deliberated, but one must always keep trying.”
     
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSO) and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra will be able to start playing in the Music Centre from the spring of 2011.
      “Of course it is great that after all the twists and turns we will finally get an acoustically magnificent concert hall”, enthuses Ritva Kaukola, chairman of the RSO musicians' delegation.
      The making of the decision to construct the centre was speeded up by the government’s promise to help YLE to sell its share in the project to outside investors.
      If by 2016 there have been no buyers for YLE’s 26% share, the Ministry of Finance property management services Senate Properties will purchase the shares.
     
The total costs of the Music Centre project are expected to reach EUR 140 million.
      YLE’s estimated annual share of the building’s maintenance costs is just under EUR 3.5 million.
      In May the City of Helsinki confirmed it would take part in the project.
      The Music Centre was granted a building permit in November 2005.
      A year and a half has been spent on the excavation work. Deep in the ground, firewalls have been installed that will keep water out of the foundations. The preliminary work will be finished in July.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Public broadcaster interested in Music Centre again (8.4.2008)
  More than 20 million cut back on costs of Helsinki Music Centre (15.1.2008)
  Helsinki Music Centre may be delayed by lack of interest from construction companies (30.10.2007)

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