Bialann Renovation

TheCosmicFrog

Hi guys,

If anyone has passed under the concourse recently, they'll have seen the Bialann, totally gutted and torn down with a load of builders and machinery in there. Does anyone know what the plan is for the Bialann?

Mention of Fianna Fáil or McDonalds is now illegal in this thread :rolleyes:

RolandIRL

my brother said that the outdoor area where the smokers go is to be covered over ie you won't be able to look down into the bialann from outside the library. i think they're turning the smoker's area into more space for the bialann. just what my brother said.

TheCosmicFrog

Ah right, well the whole area seems to be gutted out so they must be taking the chance to renovate the whole thing.

On a similar subject, has anyone heard anything about the progress of The Hub renovation?

meeka

Oh, the bialann is being done up? I've no idea what they'll be doing but I'm happy to hear it.. hopefully they'll be doing something with the ceiling! Some more comfy couches wouldn't go amiss, either. :]

They could probably do with renovating the actual concourse more...ah well. I heard about the Hub renovation a while ago too, dunno what's happening though.

Carsinian Thau

whiteman19 wrote: »

my brother said that the outdoor area where the smokers go is to be covered over ie you won't be able to look down into the bialann from outside the library.

I hope that's not true. I've always liked that.

snubbleste

TheCosmicFrog wrote: »

Does anyone know what the plan is for the Bialann?

I heard they are trying to recover silver and gold deposits under the former canteen to alleviate the funding crisis

ethernet

Hopefully it'll be gutted and left that way.

brianthebard

whiteman19 wrote: »

my brother said that the outdoor area where the smokers go is to be covered over ie you won't be able to look down into the bialann from outside the library. i think they're turning the smoker's area into more space for the bialann. just what my brother said.

That's what it looks like, personally I like the idea but obviously the smokers won't. Wonder if they'll be expanding the canteen towards the gym as well, the fencing is around that area too.

aperture_nuig

cool I wonder what it'll be like?

..maybe they'll integrate subway with the other food counters now!!! would give more floor space..

GalwayGuy92

aperture_nuig wrote: »

..maybe they'll destroy subway along with the other food counters now!!! would give more floor space..

FYP
Pity they wouldnt though, I hate the smell that place leaves on your clothes, can't sit in the canteen with coming out of the place stinking of subway. Mostly thats in the mornings though, I don't spend much time in the canteen other than that.
Did anyone read the site notice? I saw it during the year but didnt want to look like an idiot reading it.

TheCosmicFrog

What, the smell of fresh bread? It smells nice...

GalwayGuy92

no the smell of the garlic and herb bread and the general disgusting Subway smell, fresh bread smells nothing like that...

yer man!

Has anyone seen this place recently? big crane can be seen from the main road moving about random steel support beams and a lot of demolition taking place. Haven't had a chance to go around it yet but just wondering if anybody else has seen it or heard of what they actually have planned for us students.

Pinturicchio

They have definitely covered over the smoking area. The bialann should be quite a bit bigger now.

snubbleste

The construction has risen above the library podium to create something to challenge the yellow thing and the exit from the concourse doors also has some new roofscape

TheCosmicFrog

snubbleste wrote: »

The construction has risen above the library podium to create something to challenge the yellow thing and the exit from the concourse doors also has some new roofscape

Cool!

Columc

Pinturicchio wrote: »

They have definitely covered over the smoking area. The bialann should be quite a bit bigger now.

This is great, always hard to find a good table for a group of people during the peak hours, hopefully this will solve this. Only thing I can see now however is the entrances to the Bialann will have quite a few smokers at the doors due to the smoking area being gone. So the steps down from the concourse and the steps towards the arts millennium building will have a lot of ciggerate butts and make it hard for people walking through.

TheCosmicFrog

Columc wrote: »

This is great, always hard to find a good table for a group of people during the peak hours, hopefully this will solve this. Only thing I can see now however is the entrances to the Bialann will have quite a few smokers at the doors due to the smoking area being gone. So the steps down from the concourse and the steps towards the arts millennium building will have a lot of ciggerate butts and make it hard for people walking through.

I just had a vision of you wading through a knee-high sea of cigarette butts...

Pinturicchio

They've moved the yellow thing over to one side.:eek:

TheCosmicFrog

Pinturicchio wrote: »

They've moved the yellow thing over to one side.:eek:

Permanently? :eek:

Pinturicchio

TheCosmicFrog wrote: »

Permanently? :eek:

I couldn't really see properly but I think so. It was over to the left as you face the concourse.

Columc

Pinturicchio wrote: »

They've moved the yellow thing over to one side.:eek:

Blasphemy!

Fionn MacCool

Maybe they could have saved the money used for contruction to subsidise the rip off prices they charge.

Aglomerado

The yellow thing used to be called "Archimedes' Balls" when I was there (around the time UCG became NUIG). And the Bialann was mank back then too!

TheCosmicFrog

Aglomerado wrote: »

And the Bialann was mank back then too!

Haha, loved it!

Also, cycled under the concourse yesterday and stopped to look up at the library courtyard. Big Yellow Thing is most certainly on the left side now (opposite end to the library). Hard to know if it's permanent or not.

My friend suggested they hoist it up on a crane and hold it above the college as a shrine to its awesomeness.

Fionn MacCool

And then drop it on the next TD that comes to 'visit'

TheCosmicFrog

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

And then drop it on the next TD that comes to 'visit'

Rónángate? I'm game. Let me just get my crane keys.

QueenOfLeon

They've covered over the smoking area but I walked by it today and there seems to be 4 smaller squares where it was...I'm not sure if it's open, as in, looking down on the bialann or if they're just for flowers or something. Had a gawk into the bialann aswel from downstairs (beside the cloakroom) and they seem to have changed it a bit...its not as open plan as before, whether or not the partitions are permanent or not I don't know.

TheCosmicFrog

Yeah, what are those smaller four squares for?

WesternNight

Aglomerado wrote: »

The yellow thing used to be called "Archimedes' Balls" when I was there (around the time UCG became NUIG). And the Bialann was mank back then too!

I heard it referred to as "the curry chip" once.

bosmedia

Heres the scoop:

1) Javas is being replaced by Starbucks

2) There will be a pizza place too.

That is all.

Subway remains too.

Dman001

Starbucks :eek: Galway needs one badly.

Mikey23

bosmedia wrote: »

Heres the scoop:

1) Javas is being replaced by Starbucks

Heard that from one of the baristas just before they packed up, but there's been complete absence of any word to that effect since. Source?

QueenOfLeon

bosmedia wrote: »

Heres the scoop:

1) Javas is being replaced by Starbucks

Are you serious? Excellent :D:D

Fionn MacCool

QueenOfLeon wrote: »

Are you serious? Excellent :D:D

Aye great, replace an independently run coffee shop with one of the biggest symbols of capitalism, and the worst coffee chain at that.

bosmedia

One of the builders said it will be starbucks, same as UL.

RolandIRL

Smokies tea FTW

TheCosmicFrog

Ara go away with local business, tá mé student and I'll gladly drink my capitalist Caramel Frappuccino without guilt.

wobbles-grogan

When are they hoping to have it finished? I had a look there last weekend and it doesnt look like it'll be done for the start of new term!

snubbleste

wobbles-grogan wrote: »

When are they hoping to have it finished? I had a look there last weekend and it doesnt look like it'll be done for the start of new term!

The are working every day so it will be done by then

brianthebard

bosmedia wrote: »

One of the builders said it will be starbucks, same as UL.

I searched the Starbucks website and there only appears to be stores in Dublin, Kildare and Cork, not UL. I remain cynical until further notice.

WesternNight

brianthebard wrote: »

I searched the Starbucks website and there only appears to be stores in Dublin, Kildare and Cork, not UL. I remain cynical until further notice.

I wonder does it count if it's not an actual building in and of itself? Maybe those little bar-like places don't count as actual stores?

brianthebard

I thought that but it lists a ****load of places in Dublin I don't think they are all stores. Have you seen the one in UL? Just curious. I am cynical because there are always rumours like this floating around, usually started by people who would really like to see X shop opening rather than actually knowing anything about it. I'm open to being proven wrong though!

WesternNight

brianthebard wrote: »

I thought that but it lists a ****load of places in Dublin I don't think they are all stores. Have you seen the one in UL? Just curious. I am cynical because there are always rumours like this floating around, usually started by people who would really like to see X shop opening rather than actually knowing anything about it. I'm open to being proven wrong though!

Nah, never seen the one in UL. Just thought that if it's anything like it would be in NUIG if it did go in that it might not be listed. I guess we'll find out soon enough

red_fox

I don't know about UL, but DCU have a starbucks (I didn't check starbucks store finder)

http://www.dcu.ie/info/catering/restaurant-opening-times.shtml

Apparently they don't carry the full range of a proper store but it is proper starbucks coffee.

TheCosmicFrog

I know the guy who made that post (bosmedia). According to him, this is what the builders told him.

WiseMona

I might just have to drop by the old Java's today to check this out. Rumours of Starbucks makes me happy...........seeing is believing. Although I have not been to UL I heard that it is a Starbucks Kiosk - not a stand alone coffee house;)

39steps

The Bialann is being renovated and upgraded in time for start of term. The old Smokers Area has been integrated into the Bialann and the place is being re-lit and getting better heating.
As far as I know Campbell Catering are still going to run it.

brianthebard

TheCosmicFrog wrote: »

I know the guy who made that post (bosmedia). According to him, this is what the builders told him.

I'm not doubting that he believes it, only that the whole thing is a game of chinese whispers. Hard to see them finishing the whole thing by term time, they have started putting up metal girders outside the library and extending the roof from the concourse out towards them. Could be building a cover from the concourse down the steps and to the library, but that seems like an odd thing to do. Could be a smoker's area either? Glad I'm not working in the library atm anyways it would drive you mad.

TheCosmicFrog

brianthebard wrote: »

I'm not doubting that he believes it, only that the whole thing is a game of chinese whispers. Hard to see them finishing the whole thing by term time, they have started putting up metal girders outside the library and extending the roof from the concourse out towards them. Could be building a cover from the concourse down the steps and to the library, but that seems like an odd thing to do. Could be a smoker's area either? Glad I'm not working in the library atm anyways it would drive you mad.

That sounds pretty interesting. Well, at least we're in for a *bit* of excitement. Now all they need is to extend that rain shelter towards my accommodation

Columc

TheCosmicFrog wrote: »

Well, at least we're in for a *bit* of excitement.

For the first day and then it will be normal.