Star comment: Home is where the art is now
It hasn't enjoyed the easiest of starts. Shropshire's new museum and art gallery has suffered sustained criticism from opponents who would have diverted tax payers' money to different projects.
The public officials behind the scheme have not helped themselves. The project has taken longer and cost more than anyone might have imagined.
With a budget that has topped £10 million and a deadline that has extended to five years, the scheme has been easy for critics to attack.
Lest we forget, work started back in 2009 and the original opening date was scheduled for 2011, which seems like an age away.
Such negativity seems out of place now, however, as the county looks forward to the official opening of a facility that will celebrate Shropshire's rich history and heritage.
The facility is here, it will become an integral part of the county's cultural landscape and there is little point complaining about it. That will achieve nothing.
The money has been spent, the facility has been built and plans have been laid to shine a spotlight on the best of arts and heritage.
The new museum occupies an important location in Shropshire's market town on the site of the old Music Hall and Vaughan's Mansion.
The public appetite is remarkable. A Tweet about the project last night by Shropshire's tourism boss, Tim King, reached a staggering 35,000 people as enthusiasts quickly forwarded the message to friends and followers.
Those whose supportive voices have been drowned out by carping critics will finally be able to get behind the project and point out its many virtues.
Museum bosses have organised a crackerjack exhibition to get things under way with a touring exhibition lined up featuring the works of some of the most important British artists of the past 50 years.
Young British Artists figureheads Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst are among those featured in a spectacular programme that will also feature Jake and Dinos Chapman. Fans of contemporary culture will feel as though all of their Christmases have come at once.
There are many other artefacts, artworks and exhibitions for people to enjoy. The new complex spans a heady 750 years of history.
The people of Shropshire and Mid-Wales will no longer have to travel to Birmingham or Manchester to see the best of contemporary art. We now have a world class facility right here on our doorstep.