 In 2003, a €1m Department of Education and Science-funded refurbishment programme was completed.This refurbishment project was carefully designed to preserve the historical building's important architectural features, including external facade, internal stairways, and sash windows, while at the same time providing the most modern in terms of access, furnishing, and technology.In the late 1990s, ownership of the Athenaeum Hall reverted to the VEC.