Family centre for Cairndow
LOTTERY money has been secured to help build a new Cairndow family centre.
PLANS to revamp childcare in Cairndow have taken a major step forward as funding has been approved to help build a new family centre in the village.
For more than five years, Cairndow Community Childcare, a not-for-profit community business, has been working to establish a childcare, family and community hub in Cairndow.
A major milestone was reached this week when £1million of funding was approved by the Big Lottery Fund which will cover 50 per cent of the building costs.
The new premises will house a childcare centre for up to 24 children and include space for training, parent and child sessions and a separate active play area open to the public including visitors to the area. It will be sited as part of the development area around Clachan at the head of Loch Fyne which will eventually include small business units and housing.
With the support of the Cairndow community, the village hall has been home to the childcare since it started in 2004 but the aim was always to relocate to a purpose-built facility.
Before building work can start, more funding will be required, some of which is already in place thanks to financial support from Ardkinglas Estate and to a successful award from the Scottish Land Fund.
Alison Hutchins, Cairndow Community Childcare chairwoman, said: ‘We are over the moon to have the funding approval and are fully confident of raising the rest of the funds so that we can move into our new home as soon as possible. The commitment of our staff and the support of our local community have been key factors in getting this far so a big thanks to them as well as to the Big Lottery Fund.’
The Big Lottery Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK, supporting small, local projects.
Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland chairwoman said: ‘I am delighted Cairndow and the surrounding commu- nities will benefit from a community hub. This is another great example of local people doing it for themselves and I look forward to following their progress.’
Cairndow Community Childcare operates all-year round providing childcare and education for children aged from three months to eight years and employs five staff.