A FEW finishing touches are all that remain before the much-anticipated opening of Dunfermline’s Fire Station Creative this summer.

Although the group were handed the keys to the Carnegie Drive building back in October, a problem with the water supply delayed the opening.

But Ian Moir, exhibitions manager and driving force behind the project, told the Press he was confident that the doors would open in the next couple of months.

“We hope to have an open day at the end of April for tenants but as far as the public are concerned it will be more like May or June,” he said.

“We haven’t set a date yet as it all hinges on building control. We are in the process of getting the fire alarm system installed.” The 1930s art deco building is being transformed into a new arts centre which will boast a gallery, classroom, 20 studios and a café/restaurant.

Ian said, “It’s going to be an exciting thing, you get to meet so many different creative people who are taking the studio space.

“They’ll get to share their talents with the Dunfermline community and it means we can retain culture here.

“We’re also excited about the café and exhibition space and we will look into delivering the best possible contemporary art we can find. The aim is to celebrate things that are well made, even if it’s not to everybody’s taste!

“Generally we’ve been very buoyant and excited seeing the progress. We’re really looking forward to what’s happening this year.” With much of the work already completed, Ian says it won’t be long until the public get to see the new facility.

“The top two floors have been completely redecorated and there are studios and classroom space,” he said.

“There has been a big demand for classroom space which is reassuring. The space is available to rent at a very low rate and there a lot of groups that want to make good use of it.

“The doors, which have been our largest expense, are nearly all fitted. People walking past will notice that the old ones have been removed and replaced with period wooden doors.

“The kitchen and café should be getting installed this week and the toilets on the ground floor are nearly finished. We’re also hoping to make a feature of the old pole that the firefighters used.

“We want to have a display of historic photographs around that area so we’re appealing to the public for any old photos of the fire station to use in a little heritage corner.” With the finished product not far away, Ian was keen to point out that the support that project has received from the local community has been invaluable.

“Local businesses have also been working within the fire station to physically convert it for us,” he said. “We had the ethos that we wanted to work with small, local companies to let them work on a prominent project.

“We also owe thanks to Fife Council who have been working behind the scenes to make the project happen. There have been a lot of mini hurdles we’ve had to overcome and they have been a big help.”