This year, Tuks FM celebrates 45 great years on air with an exceptional legacy. At the turn of a new page and the beginning of a new era, the station itself receives an upgrade, symbolising the dawn of a new era under the leadership of station manager Nicole Da Silva and programming manager Chris Jordan. Speaking to the managers, a tone of enthusiasm and optimism echoes throughout the station.
The renovations are funded by a grant from the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA). Tuks FM was successful in securing the grant in 2023. However, due to internal drawbacks and specifications needed for radio, the process was drawn out longer than originally anticipated. Da Silva took part in the planning and design process, keeping in mind the legacy of the studio. “The idea behind the design was a number of things. When the studios were first built, the glass between the studios was used so that the people in the studios could see each other,” Da Silva said. These will be kept as a nod to the previous era. Design longevity was a pertinent thought and feature in the design. “I wanted the colours to be reflective of the university and station, and the equipment and facilities still look fresh and good for another 10 to 15 years.”
For programming manager Chris Jordan, the structure holds many memories. Jordan recalls a surreal feeling in the beginning of his tenure. “You know I am sitting in the same office my boss sat in, stepping into [the] studios I broadcast from.” Jordan started at Tuks FM in 2002 with the memories of a different era, but he still carries the same zeal and passion from years before.
The station renovations include upgrades to both blue and red studios, a new desk, a new music room, and well-equipped podcasting and media rooms, opening up Tuks FM’s base as a multimedia platform and a hub for all things media and entertainment.
Project completion is estimated for the end of July, with the MDDA to officially open the new studios at the 45th birthday party. This will be an exciting opportunity to have people view the studio and see the new renovations as Tuks FM enters its new era.
