Delivery of the Dome and the associated infrastructure
52. We examined the Dome's concept, design and construction
in our previous Reports. In the first Report we concluded that
"The Dome is magnificent in conception and likely to be breath-taking
in execution".[137]
We consider that judgement to have been justified. The Millennium
Dome has been an architectural success, and is a fitting venue
for the Millennium Experience.
53. The Dome itself and its infrastructure were developed
with remarkable speed and efficiency. Last November, we said that
it seemed likely that NMEC would win its race against time.[138]
The British Tourist Authority rightly observed that "nothing
should be allowed to detract from the fact that the opening of
the Dome on target, given the extremely short timescale from conception
to completion, was a commendable achievement". This Committee
has previously congratulated NMEC, and in particular Ms Page,
for its achievement in completing the Dome to such a tight timetable.[139]
Lord Falconer, the Secretary of State and the Dome's sponsors
all paid tribute in evidence to NMEC's accomplishment.[140]
54. The Millennium Dome was from its inception
a high-risk project. However, it is now apparent that the urgency
of ensuring the completion of the building of the Dome on time
led to an as yet unquantifiable overspend and subsequent severe
financial problems. As Ms Page told us, "We were unable
to keep back as much contingency as we would have wished for a
variety of reasons, some of them concerned with late decisions
that changed the nature of the Experience and brought additional
costs with them. All of the decisions that involved that were
not mine but were taken by the Company".[141]
We commend everyone concerned in ensuring that the Dome won
its race against time and in particular the former Chief Executive
of NMEC, Ms Jennie Page, who made the single greatest contribution
to that achievement.
137 HC (1997-98) 340-I, para 15. Back
138 HC
(1999-2000) 24-I, para 21. Back
139 Q
1. Back
140 QQ
67-68, 186, 340, 474. Back
141 Q
3. Back
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