£450,000 roof quote set to fall

EXACT estimates for the repairs needed on Arbroath’s Community Centre roof should be known within weeks after a councillor said she was still “mystified” by the original £450,000 quote for the job.

The listed Marketgate building is unwanted by Angus Council after Angus Alive handed it back to the authority last year.

It served as a vaccination centre during the pandemic.

A feasibility study has been launched to try to secure a communityled future for the once popular facility.

However, the roof of the sandstone property is leaking.

The council also wants to lower the centre’s ceiling to make it more energy-efficient.

In September, councillors were told a new roof for the 140-yearold building would cost £450,000.

They stalled the project and have now learned a lower estimate should come forward in April.

Independent councillors Jill Scott and David Cheape led concerns around the scale of the original quote.

At Angus communities committee yesterday, Ms Scott said she was still “a little bit mystified” where the figure had come from.

Vibrant Communities director Alison Smith said it was an identified quote at the time.

“What that figure didn’t present at the time were options which took in a drone survey and lesser repairs that would still make good the roof,” she said.

Those estimates will be presented to councillors on April 16, she added.

Committee convener Mark McDonald defended the handling of the issue.

“This has been described as controversial,” he said.

“The committee acted like the committee should.

“Issues were raised, the committee took a decision and it has been brought back.

“That’s how I’d like to see us do business.”

The community centre.