WELCOMETO THE NEW HUB
Ribbon is cut on new community focal point
There were celebrations in Coupar Angus on Saturday as the Strathmore Community Hub was officially opened.
John Swinney, Perthshire North MSP and Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, opened the Trades Lane facility following its £1 million refurbishment at a special open afternoon.
The building was purchased from NHS Tayside a number of years ago but required a major revamp to order for it to become an adaptable space for the community to use.
Mr Swinney said: “It’s a fabulous day for Coupar Angus thanks to the tenacity and efforts that so many people have given to transform the Trades Lane building into a vibrant focal point for the community.
“What has been created here is a beautiful space that provides an opportunity for the community to come together – it provides a place for connections to be made.”
David Downie, chair of the Strathmore Community Hub board of trustees, said: “I would like to thank all of our funders for their generous and vital contributions to the Hub refurbishment work and the project in general.”
There were celebrations in Coupar Angus on Saturday as the Strathmore Community Hub was officially opened.
John Swinney, Perthshire North MSP and Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, opened the facility following its £1 million refurbishment at a special open afternoon.
There was a range of stalls and information from various groups in and around Coupar Angus, including award-winning environmental group Pride of Place, the Grow Your Own group, Kettins Community Hub, ABC Saints, Crafty Hands, the Yarn Bombers, and Coupar Angus and District Heritage Association.
Pupils from primary four to seven in Coupar Angus Primary School had designed pieces of bunting detailing what the town means to them and the local community learning group created a piece of art, both of which decorated the new building on opening day.
And those at the event also had an opportunity to speak to Hub staff, trustees and volunteers at the event.
The new facility is based in the former medical centre in 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 refurbishment and extension got under way last year after a number of delays.
Mr Swinney said: “It is an enormous pleasure to be here this afternoon.
“It’s a fabulous day for Coupar Angus thanks to the tenacity and efforts that so many people have given to transform the Trades Lane building in to a vibrant focal point for the community.
“I have seen a number of projects develop over the years and what makes these things happen is the tenacity and commitment of those behind them.
“So to all the committee who have really kept the faith I extend my warmest thanks and congratulations for what you have achieved for the community.
“What has been created here is a beautiful space that provides an opportunity for the community to come together – it provides a place for connections to be made.
“It started out with an idea of
what the building might do but many more things can grow from that.
“What is here is also due to the professional expertise and the funders and to everyone who played a part I express my warmest thanks.
“Now it is about what happens next, and I am reminded of a line from a poem by former Scottish maker Edwin Morgan read at the opening of the Scottish Parliament, ‘Open the doors and let it begin’.
“I am sure the Strathmore Community Hub will do wonderful things.”
David Downie, chair of the Strathmore Community Hub board of trustees, said: “I wish to thank those without whose help we would not be here today.
“Firstly, my fellow trustees, past and present, for the support over the last seven long years and a big thank you to my wonderful wife Sheila.
“On behalf of the board I would like to thank all of our funders for their generous and vital contributions to the hub refurbishment work and the project in general.
“These include Development
Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) for a grant to pay for the feasibility study and business plan, The Scottish Land Fund for the funds to buy the building, Tayside NHS Community Innovation Fund, The Gannochy Trust, The Robertson Trust, Scotmid Cooperative, and, through Perth and Kinross Council, the Town Centre Fund and the Place Based Investment Fund.
“These last major grant awards have been absolutely crucial to the success of this project and there are two people I want to thank especially for their assistance in helping us secure these awards – former councillor Fiona Sarwar, who first drew our attention to the Town Centre Fund and supported our application to the council, and Alison Seggie, a service manager with PKC who has steered and supported us through the very stormy seas of securing funding when costs spiralled due to the coronavirus pandemic and various subsequent delays.”
Mr Downie went on: “It has been a rollercoaster seven-year ride getting to this day, standing in front of what once was a rather tired looking old health centre, now transformed into this welcoming building designed by architect Stuart Carr.
“There were many times we thought the wheels had come off the rollercoaster and of course the pandemic didn’t help.
“Now we have to get on and run the Hub so that it pays for itself and provides the community with as wide a range of facilities as its versatility is designed for.
“We will soon be putting in place a community fridge, and there are plans for a community cinema.
“It is a community hub and our earnest hope is that people will want to get involved in its running and helping to organise events to bring people into this warm space.
“So please consider becoming a member, anyone over the age of 16 can join and it is free.
“And if you can, please think about becoming a trustee. We also desperately need volunteers – there are all sorts of tasks and ways to help for an hour or two every now and then.”
To find out more or to get involved with the Hub, email communityhubstrathmore@ gmail.com.