THANKS A £MILLION
Excitement is building ahead of the long-awaited Strathmore Community Hub in Coupar Angus being officially opened.
Deputy First Minister of Scotland and local MSP John Swinney will open the new Trades Lane facility at a special ceremony on Saturday following a refurbishment which is said to have cost around £1million.
An open afternoon will take place from 2pm to 6pm and there will be an opportunity to speak to staff, trustees and volunteers.
David Downie, chair of the Strathmore Community Hub board of trustees, said: “This facility has the potential to become a dynamic part of community life. “It should be an enlightening day for everyone who comes and takes part in any capacity, and we hope the open day will propel the Hub into the forefront of people’s minds.”
The Strathmore Community Hub in Coupar Angus is to be officially opened on Saturday this week.
Deputy First Minister of Scotland and local MSP John Swinney will open the facility following a £1 million refurbishment at a special open afternoon.
The session will take place from 2pm to 6pm and there will be an opportunity to speak to Hub staff, trustees and volunteers at the event.
There will also be a range of stalls and information from various groups in Coupar Angus.
A number of services have already confirmed that they will be using the facilities at the Hub, including PKAVS, North Perthshire dementia day care service, Jeff Coull’s foot care clinic and Tracey Taylor’s remedial massage clinic.
The new facility is based in the former medical centre on Trades Lane.
The building was purchased from NHS Tayside a number of years ago but required major refurbishment to ensure that it meets current standards of energy use, is efficient to manage and provides adaptable spaces for as wide a variety of uses as possible.
Proposals for an ambitious refurbishment including the addition of a full height extension at the main entrance to the building and green energy sources – solar panels and air source heat pumps – were put forward and following a public meeting were the preferred choice of the community.
Work on the £1 million refurbishment and extension got under way last year after a number of delays.
The Strathmore Community Hub committee is keen to encourage members of the local community to visit the refurbished building, speak to the trustees and share any ideas and suggestions they may have for use of the building and its resources.
David Downie, chair of the Strathmore Community Hub board of trustees, said: “We are hoping to welcome as many members of the local community as possible to the open day so that those it will serve can come and have a look around, ask questions of the trustees and, importantly, tell us what ideas and suggestions they may have for activities and uses of its resources.
“Before the refurbishment, some of the activities at the Hub included craft workshops, a table tennis club and meetings of various kinds.
“Possible other ideas for the refurbished building include a community cinema and a community fridge.
“The new building has screen dividers so that spaces can be changed easily to accommodate a wide range of uses.
“We are also keen to hear from anyone who would like to join the board of trustees.
“This facility has the potential to become a dynamic part of community life. But we need volunteers and a staff team in place to support the running of the Hub and probably the operation of the café.
“It should be an enlightening day for everyone who comes and takes part in any capacity, and we hope the open day will propel the Hub into the forefront of people’s minds going forwards.”
To get involved with the Hub, email communityhubstrathmore@gmail.com.
This facility has the potential to become a dynamic part of community life