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Mivan has won £3 million of new contracts to fit-out museums and visitor attractions in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Mivan is creating a spectacular visitor attraction for Scottish Enterprise on the banks of Loch Lomond and undertaking a major fit-out of Downpatrick’s historic Down County Museum for Down District Council.

An artists impression of the Loch Lomond Aquarium is pictured. Set in the heart of Scotland’s first National Park at the Lough Lomond Shores complex, Drumkinnon Tower is being transformed by Mivan into a fresh and seawater attraction to be known as the Loch Lomond Aquarium. The company is already on-site and the contract is due for completion during the summer of 2006. Work at the six-storey Drumkinnon Tower includes piling, installation of tanks and life support systems, Audio Visual equipment and theming. Closer to home, Mivan has also won the contract to fit-out the Down County Museum as part of a major refurbishment programme. Working for Down District Council alongside designers Real Studios, Mivan will supply and install showcases, interactive displays, graphics and Audio Visual equipment. Work has begun and will be completed in May 2006. The Down County Museum was established in 1981 in the historic buildings of the eighteenth century County Gaol of Down. The Down Gaol was opened in 1796 and until its closure in 1830 housed thousands of prisoners, including the 1798 rebels, captured after the battles of Saintfield and Ballynahinch. The Gaol also held the United Irishman, Thomas Russell, who was executed for his role in the abortive rebellion of 1803. Today the Museum houses a collection of 10,000 objects and 30,000 photographs relating to the archaeology, human and natural history of County Down over a 9,000-year period. The Heritage Lottery Fund and Down District Council are helping to fund the project with amounts of £819,000 and £618,000 respectively. Commenting on the double win, James Hicken, Mivan’s Business Development Manager said: “We are delighted to land two more prestigious assignments to add to our portfolio of museum and leisure contracts. “We are looking forward to completing both contracts and being with our clients as the completed projects are unveiled before the summer visitor season. “ Working at Downpatrick’s Down County Museum is a particular pleasure. The Museum encapsulates much of Northern Ireland heritage and it is a privilege to help sustain and develop the museum that holds these important and valuable artefacts.” « Go Back