"New Pavilion," Library Street, Wigan

THE NEW PAVILION, WIGAN - In order to meet a long felt want in the district, the Wigan Entertainments Company are erecting the above hall on the vacant land next to the Technical School, in Library Street. One of the features of the building is the immense width of the roof and the entire absence of centre columns. This, of course, is the governing factor of any hall, as there are then no obstructions to the view of the spectators. In order to achieve this result, the whole weight of the roof is carried on four specially designed steel principals. 112 feet clear span between walls. and which are built up of rolled steel tees and angles. riveted together by means of gusset plates. The principals, though light and airy in appearance. weigh six tons each and are supported quite independently of the walls on steel stanchions 29 feet long, the total height from the floor to the ridge being 71 feet. The total length of the building is 134 feet and the roof boarding and slating is carried by means of fifteen lines of 8 inch rolled steel joist purlins secured to the rafters of the principals, and running the full length of the building. These are also braced by an ingenious arrangement of diagonal steel tie-rods. Of course, in designing an enormous roof like this special care has to be taken to ensure the whole of the steel skeleton being self-contained and self-supporting. This has been done in such a manner that the walls and coverings are merely adventitious. and the stability of the steel work in no way depends upon these. One of the chief advantages of this system of roof is that the whole of the steel frame can be erected before the building of the walls is commenced. A complete system of diagonal bracing is introduced into the steelwork so as to prevent any movement or vibration under the extreme stresses which such a large roof would be subject to in gales and stormy weather.  At one end of the building is a large gallery, 90 feet long and 27 feet wide, which is supported on steel girders connected to cast iron columns and the vertical stanchions in gable framing. At the other end of the building is the stage, which is carried on a framework of steel stanchions and girders. The two side galleries, 14 feet wide are carried upon a system or girders so arranged that the stanchions supporting the same only occur at intervals of 20 feet, thus presenting practically no obstruction to the floor view. The crowning feature of this structure is the large steel dome. 24 feet in diameter, surmounted by a smaller hemispherical dome on which is placed one of Shorland's latest extractors, the top oi which is 85 feet above the ground level. Another feature is the floor, which is laid in maple, so that the hall can be used for roller skating, a pastime which at present is the rage in all the large towns and cities. The hall is also constructed that it can be used for political meetings, dances, concerts, also as a circus or music hall. It is expected that the holding capacity will be 3,500. The whole of the steel work has been designed, manufactured. and is being erected by Messes. J. Booth and Sons, Hulton Lane Steel Works, Bolton; the brick and wood work by Messrs, John Johnson and Son, Caroline Street, Wigan, the cement and plaster work by Messrs. J. R. Johnson Liverpool; and the slating by Messrs, J. Liptrot and Sons. Pemberton. The building will be electrically lit and will be heated and ventilated on the best and latest principles known to modern science. Externally. the structure will be carried out in a similar manner to the recent Franco-British Exhibition buildings. and will undoubtedly prove a pleasing architectural addition to the town. [The Era 23 January 1909 page 20]

Reference    Builder 30 Jan 1909 p128
Reference    The Era 23 January 1909 page 20