MAKING A DIFFERENCE
A closure- threatened community resource in Craigneuk has been saved after helpers carried out an extensive refurbishment.
St Patrick’s parochial hall has been totally upgraded including full central heating replacement, rewired, redecorated, carpeting and roof repair work being undertaken as well as refurbishment of some bathrooms and the kitchen areas. And now the hall has been officially reopened. It had been in such a poor state of repair there were fears it would be put out of use completely.
St Patrick’s priest Father Krzysztof Garwolinski said: “Over a year ago we were in a precarious position in relation to the viability of the hall.
“Should it have been closed then this would have been a terrible loss to not only our parishioners but the wider community of Craigneuk.
“At this point I had a chance conversation with former councillor Gary O’Rorke who has experience and expertise in the building industry,
“We decided that despite limited funds we should look into the possibility of fully refurbishing the hall so it would cater for a variety of services that people really need in the area.”
But it soon became clear that the task they faced was daunting.
The hall is a large period building and the original costing to undertake all the repairs was frightening.
“However I knew that we must try everything we could to try to save the hall and create a safe, warm, hospitable environment for all our community from the very youngest to the oldest”.
With the help of Gary, and former councillors Frank McKay and Sam Love, the situation was explained to local business people.
The parish priest added: “When I got replies from a