Update on Community Hub Refurbishment December 2010
Well, folks, we may not have started the works till 15th November, but our contractor – Ashwood Scotland Ltd – is making rapid progress. The lift foundation is in place, all the partitions have been stripped out, steel beams delivered and much of the initial undertakings achieved, despite sub zero temperatures and staff struggling to get to work.
You can see some of the progress in the photo roll on the main page. A few more are posted here from recent work, including new site signage, take a look:
Thanks to Big Lottery, LEADER, Third Sector Enterprise and Levenseat Trust for believing in our vision to creat the hub. We plan to be ready for the relaunch early in March 2011.
Thanks to Hardie Associates Ltd, Ashwood Scotland Ltd, Andrew Simpson Associates Ltd, AFA Security, Gerry Spencer and everyone who has supported us so far.
Solar Electricity PV (Photovoltaic) Panel Proposal
Having approved the supplier, Renewable Resources Scotland Ltd, we are now trying to secure the finance to be able to make our building even more sustainable. The proposal is to install solar cells to the roof to generate our own electricity from the sun. If we can overcome the budgetary constraints, we could meet a big part of our electricity costs, whilst reducing our carbon footprint, over the next 25 years! Watch this space . . .
Other Energy-Saving Measures
The building will house a new high efficiency condensing (combi) boiler, saving on heating and hot water costs and reducing CO2 (carbon dioxide). We are also investigating the possiblity of additional thermal insulation to the back cavity, and dry lining for the solid walls, should they be technically sound and prove cost effective.
Summary of Project Before Refurbishment
Fauldhouse Community Development Trust (CDT) have bought a building and are in the process of working on it to create a self-sustaining community facility that will provide:
- A venue for positive activities for local people, including health walks, youth events, arts & crafts / sewing / cooking workshops, and the proposed Fauldhouse Community Cinema
- Retail space for small social economy groups and local businesses
- Office space for voluntary organisations and social economy groups
- Printing and administration services for community groups, social economy groups and local businesses
- An outreach venue for various West Lothian-wide agencies involved with employment, business start-up assistance, skills training, volunteering, youth projects etc.
- A coffee area for people to socialise (without alcohol) and meet informally
- A soft play area for pre-school children
- A gallery for local artists and educational displays
- Access to all types of information
Initially running costs will be mostly grant funded (by the Lottery), with an ever increasing amount being raised through income generation. We will raise income from room rentals and provision of the services above. We intend for the building to be self-sustaining in 5 years.
We obtained ownership of the building (10 Main Street, Fauldhouse) on 31st March 2010. 95% of the purchase price has been awarded by the Big Lottery Growing Community Assets fund. The remaining 5% is coming from LEADER (European funding).
From August – November 2010 we have planned construction works which will make the building fit for the purpose of being a Community venue. Funding for the construction works and new equipment needed comes from the Lottery Growing Community Assets fund, The Levenseat Trust (Landfill Tax), 3rd Sector Enterprise Fund (Scottish Government) and LEADER (European funds).
The Community Hub will provide a premises for the CDT and will be the base for the CDT’s current and future projects. The funding package for the premises is complete for the next 5 years, and it is planned that, through income generation, the building will be self-sustaining after 5 years.
We have a Community Hub sub-group, made up of Directors, Volunteers and our Professional Design Team. If you’re interested in getting more involved or finding out where we’re at with the project, contact us, and we can invite you to the next sub-group meeting.