Armadale Hall build underway
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A MUCH-loved community hall has been dismantled and work is progressing to replace it.
The corrugated-iron roofed Armadale Hall, which dates back to the 1920s, was demolished last month by local contractor David Mackay, who is in charge of site clearance.
Hall managers had been keen to renovate the existing hall but investigations revealed the building’s floor was not fit for purpose. However much of the material - and particularly the pine linings – in the old hall is to be recycled and used in the new. A local artist is keen to make a piece of art out of the corrugated roof sheeting.
Caithness firm Norbloc Construction Ltd of Halkirk is undertaking the re-build with ground works starting last week.
The project has been made possible thanks to a total £340,000 funding secured from SSE Strathy North Community Fund, Caithness and North Sutherland Fund, LEADER and local donations.
During the demolition, hall managers were intrigued to discover a delivery label dating back to the time the original hall was built. On it was written "bundle doors, 2 bundles windows battens, 17 bundles wood".
The planned new hall will be energy-efficient, large enough to seat 100 people and will have a large, modern kitchen plus showers and toilet facilities.
It was originally intended to have a waste disposal facility for motor homes and camper vans. But hall chairwoman Joyce Campbell said: "We removed from our planning application the chemical waste emptying area due to concerns regarding the handling of the chemical waste from the site.
"We still want to offer toilets, showers and electric car charging facilities to the public to try and help with the lack of public toilets in the area and encourage green travel."
A community celebration is planned once the new hall is ready.
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