Ardrossan's Scout Group has hailed the help from the Three Towns Locality Partnership after securing £100,000 community investment funding to save their hall.
As revealed last month, with the support of the partnership, North Ayrshire Council approved the funding boost to allow the group to update its premises in Kilmeny Terrace.
First built in 1967, the local scout hall is in danger of falling into disrepair as the roof and exterior is reaching the end of its intended lifespan.
David Howie, group Scout leader from Ardrossan Scout Group, said: “Thank you to our locality officer, North Ayrshire Council, Ardrossan Community Development Trust and everyone else involved in helping us to secure our first round of funding.
“The Community Investment Fund is such a good way to help local groups to secure their future in offering local opportunities.
“When it comes to scouting, our aim is to actively engage as many young people as we can to give them skills for life and help them to make a positive contribution to society.
“Not only do we help children and young people, we also help adults in their own personal development opportunities through volunteering as leaders, assistants and trustees.
“The funding boost is really going to go a long way. Thanks to North Ayrshire Council, we will now be able to tackle phase one of our action plan so that we can completely remove the roof of our Scout Hall and replace it with an alternative.”
The next phase of the development will involve replacing internal ceiling panels, installing an effective and efficient heating system, and reconfiguring the internal layout of the building.
Once the plans are fully realised, the Scout Hall will provide even more flexible spaces for community groups and individuals to let for activities such as toddler groups and martial arts.
David added: “With CIF sorted for the roof renovation, we can now focus our efforts on attracting other external funders who can help us on our way to the second phase of our development plans.”
Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for communities and islands, commented: “Ardrossan Scout Group has been providing fun and adventure to local young people for over 100 years.
“A brilliant example of community empowerment in action, the local scout group has been working closely with the Three Towns Locality Partnership to develop its funding application, agreed at cabinet at the start of May.
“We are pleased that they have been awarded the recent funding boost to begin the much-needed repair works required.
“The refurb also supports the council’s efforts to become a carbon neutral local authority by 2030 as the new roof will significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions once it is installed. So, this is great news for the environment too.”
Another group to benefit is Ardrossan Community Sports Hub as cabinet agreed the early release of £15,000 – following their successful CIF application earlier this year for a new 3G pitch.
It is part of the £100k CIF funding sum previously agreed by Cabinet in January for the installation of a new 3G synthetic football pitch at their Winton Park facility.
Eddie Gibb, secretary of Ardrossan Community Sports Hub, said: “The Three Towns Locality Partnership have been instrumental in helping us to secure the £100k funding earlier this year. But with the overall project set to cost £600k, it’s important that we now engage with other external funders who can help us to realise our ambitions.
“Our proposed new synthetic grass pitch, filled with shock-absorbing cushioning, really is going to be a game-changer, especially because our young players are currently having to travel as far as Kilwinning and Irvine just now as our current pitch only has limited use."
Councillor Hill added: “Having the new astro-pitch is going to have such a lasting and positive impact for everyone using the facility, where they can belong and be proud of.
“If you are part of a community group in need of funding or know a group that could benefit from an upgrade to their facilities, please get in touch with us to find out more and help your community to realise its full potential as we build a better North Ayrshire together, for all.”
If you would like to find out about how to apply for Community Investment Funding, visit the council website: https://tinyurl.com/NorthAyrshireCommunityFunding
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