Kirkhill Centre Forward
Kirkhill Centre Forward is a project of Kirkhill and District Amenities Association (KDAA) to revitalise and extend Kirkhill Community Centre. The project name was chosen to reflect our ambition to provide a community centre fit for the future!
Background
Kirkhill Community Centre was opened in 1987 to replace the ageing hall at Inchmore following a great community fundraising effort. Since then the centre has been well used by the community for a wide range of activities, clubs, meetings, parties and social occasions of all kinds. It truly is the social heart of the community.
However, since the centre was built the population of Kirkhill District has grown considerably. When it was built in 1987 the population was around 1000, it has since grown by 100% to just over 2000. The centre is often fully booked and is no longer able to cater adequately for local needs and demands.
Community consultation and business plan
The KDAA started consulting with the community and centre user groups in 2009 to identify actions for the KDAA management committee to take forward. A number of consulation events and surveys were undertaken which identified the need to provide an additional meeting room, improved kitchen, toilets and changing rooms, increased storage and improved circulation areas.
The Kirkhill Centre Forward sub-committee have produced a business plan that demonstrates the need for improvements to Kirkhill Community Centre, identifies the nature of the improvements and the business case for these improvements and shows draft plans.
Kirkhill Centre Forward Business Plan February 2012
Phase 1 – Pre-contract work
The project took a big leap forward in December 2011 by securing funding towards the design costs of the project. We’re really grateful to the Highland LEADER programme that has awarded us a grant of up to £13,135 and the Highland Council Ward Discretionary Fund for £2000. The balance will come from our own funds. We have engaged architects White and McGinn to lead this stage which will provide detailed plans and secure planning permission.
More on appointment of White and McGinn.
Phase 2 – Construction
Reburbishing and extending the community cetnre is estimated to cost around £300,000. The KDAA have designated £57,000 of it’s own funds that have been raised by the community through Gala Weeks over a number of years. This leaves the shortfall to be filled by grant applications. We currently have applications submitted to the Climate Challenge Fund for insulation and to the Robertson Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation and Trusthouse Charitable Foundation. We will also be applying to the Highland LEADER programme.
We hope to have the funding package in place by March and begin work after Gala Week in June 2012.
News updates
September 11th 2011 – Gala Week success and hall renovation news
January 7th 2012 – Architect appointed for Kirkhill Centre Forward project
Contact
The Kirkhill Centre Forward project group is: Alasdair Morrison, Dave Knox, Trevor Jones, Amanda McGillivray and Sandra Hogg.
If you’ve got any comments or ideas or have skills you think could help the project please get in touch.
Contact Alasdair on 01463 831185 or kcf@kirkhillandbunchrew.org.uk
