Potential community hub for Cairnbaan

Cairnbaan Community Trust is inviting residents to a dropin session to allow them to give their opinion on the community taking over the Forestry and Land Scotland buildings next to lock 8.

The trust is in the process of exploring the potential for the two buildings in Cairnbaan to be taken into community ownership and has gained funding from the Scottish Land Fund to undertake a feasibility study.

This includes assessing the condition of the buildings with a view to completing an asset transfer application.

To this end an open dropin event is taking place on Saturday May 11 11am-3pm at the MACPool Activity hub in Lochgilphead, where people can put forward any views and ideas they may have for the future of the buildings.

The trust wants to ensure that whatever happens next at the site reflects the community’s aspirations for the buildings, and wants to hear from local people, community groups and local businesses.

The buildings could become particular important as a community hub, following the closure of the Cairnbaan Hotel late last year.

Jim Maitland, chairperson and trustee of Cairnbaan Community Trust, said: “This is an opportunity for the community to get involved in what could be a fantastic facility for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, permanent residents and visitors to our village and surrounding area.

“The site lends itself to a range of potential opportunities, including meeting rooms, an events space, workshop space, and somewhere for local businesses to operate from.

“It could be somewhere right on the doorstep for kids to play, families to meet, locals and visitors to relax, or to participate in any number of activities. We are looking for the community to tell us what they would like to see at the buildings.”

Everyone is welcome to drop in on May 11 but an online community survey is also available at: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ Cairnbaan-Comm-Survey.

Paper copies can be picked up and dropped off at The Wee Community Hub (Ionad Càrn Bàn) (the old phonebox), and can be posted out on request.