Community Hub Refurbishment
Fauldhouse Community Development Trust (FCDT) bought a building to create a self-sustaining facility for the communities of Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley.
Ownership of the building was obtained (10 Main Street, Fauldhouse) on 31st March 2010. 95% of the purchase price was awarded by the Big Lottery Growing Community Assets fund. The remaining 5% came from LEADER (European funding).
The building refurbishment was completed by May 2011 which made the building fit for the purpose of being a Community venue. Funding for the construction works and new equipment needed came 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 provides premises for the FCDT and is the base for the FCDT’s current and future projects.
Initially running costs have been mostly grant funded (by the Lottery), with an ever increasing amount raised through income generation. Plans are to raise income from room rentals and provision of the services above. The intention is for the building to be self-sustaining in five years.
Here are a range of ideas for The Hub that came from our community consultation
- 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
Solar Electricity PV (Photovoltaic) Panel Proposal
Having approved the supplier, Renewable Resources Scotland Ltd, we have installed solar cells to the roof to generate our own electricity from the sun. 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 houses 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.
Thanks to Big Lottery, LEADER, Third Sector Enterprise and Levenseat Trust for believing in our vision to create The Hub.
Thanks to Hardie Associates Ltd, Ashwood Scotland Ltd, Andrew Simpson Associates Ltd, AFA Security, Gerry Spencer and everyone who has supported us.
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.