Achmore & Stromeferry Community Hall

Focus

Fundraising began in the 1980s to improve the existing hall's heating and kitchen. In 1996 the present committee began fundraising for a complete renovation. Grants were obtained from 21st Century Halls (50%) and ERDF (20%). An Awards for All grant covered architect's fees. The project was supported by Fernaig Community Trust, working with Forest Enterprise.

Achievements

The redevelopment has thoroughly modernised and upgraded the facilities, whilst retaining and preserving the character of the old building. For example, some of the original materials such as the wooden floorboards have been recycled and used as interior wall cladding, providing an interesting feature. The project had to satisfy Health and Safety, Fire Safety, and Environmental Health regulations as well as comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, and obtain the relevant certificates.

Once the interior was finished and the hall reopened in November 2000, volunteers in the community worked on the exterior, building a drystone wall and developing the garden. Another grant application was made to provide a shed.

The Community Hall is well used and provides a central meeting place and recreational venue in the village of Achmore for all ages and sections of the community, including youth and playgroups, sports and Tai Chi, theatre and arts groups, the Church and it is also hired for private functions and dances.

Tips from the Achmore & Stromeferry Community  Hall Committee

• Be professional when working with professional advisers: make your needs and requirements clear down to every detail.
• Visit other group's projects and learn from their experiences.
• Do thorough community consultation at the start; we had an earlier application turned down because we had not consulted properly.
• Be aware that the person who signs the application must bear the brunt of any problems that crop up.
• Grant making bodies require four signatories and a project of this type needs to have the commitment of six to eight people to share the load.
• Think carefully about 'community contribution in kind': both the group and the contractor experienced problems, and in the end it didn't save us money.