LAHORE: The Open Air Theatre Bagh-i-Jinnah is going to be upgraded and improved with an estimated cost of Rs300 million. A summary has been prepared by the Punjab Council of Arts and would be submitted to the chief minister in a few days.

The allied facilities to would be provided following the upgrade included a souvenir shop featuring arts and craft from all over Punjab, make-up and greenroom for performers, state-of-the-art café and an academy of performing arts.

Officials in the arts council told Dawn that a meeting of the Design Approval Committee was held recently under the chairmanship of Walled City of Lahore Authority Director General Kamran Lashari to finalise recommendations on the design of the scheme, titled ‘Upgradation and Improvement of Open Air Theatre, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore’.

Punjab Council of Arts Executive Director Rizwan Sharif briefed the meeting that the first gathering of the Design Approval Committee was held in March 2020 wherein M/s Unicon Consulting Services made a presentation on the proposed design of the scheme. The committee reviewed the design and observed that the visual impact of the proposed building should remain minimal in the form of camouflage in the presence of the existing trees and branches. Further, wood and brick on the façade of the building will be used and alien material avoided. In addition, stairs will be kept small for the comfort of visitors and a railing also provided.

Mr Sharif said the consulting firm made the changes to the design in light of the observations after which another meeting was held where further suggestions were made regarding the design of the Open Air Theatre. The latest meeting was held to finalise recommendations on that design where the consulting firm again made a presentation.

Some officials suggested a ramp should be provided for senior citizens and the physically disabled, steps kept small on the pattern of the existing stairs to which the consulting firm said the facilities were already included in the design. A security plan and emergency exit was also suggested, which was agreed to.

A Parks and Horticulture Authority official proposed provision of a waiting area for the public.

Mr Lashari desired that waiting sheds, gazeboes and seating spots should also be made. Further, the number of washrooms may be increased, the building should look like a model garden theatre and its height not exceed that of the Open Air Theatre. After completion of the building, it should be covered with natural creepers and climbers. The chair remarked that it should be an environment-friendly support building for the theatre and all the facilities for the public should be integrated with each other.

After detailed deliberations, the Design Approval Committee unanimously approved the design by incorporating minor changes. The consulting firm will give a presentation to the chair about the pictorial view of all the facilities being added for the public.

The meeting was attended by officials from various departments.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2021