Family centre could put heart back into community
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EXCITING plans for a £1 million youth and family centre which could boost the economy of the Kyle of Sutherland area have taken a major step forward.
A planning application has been lodged with Highland Council to build the two-storey centre on a former coal yard at South Bonar Industrial Estate, located between Ardgay and Bonar Bridge.
Behind the ambitious project is the Kyle of Sutherland Youth Development Group (KoSYDG), which operates out of a collection of temporary buildings at the site.
Chairwoman Hayley Bangs said that if planning consent was granted, the group had been invited to submit a "stage two" application to the Big Lottery’s Growing Community Assets fund.
She said: "We think this is a unique project which will encourage greater local participation and give more people a reason to visit the Kyle of Sutherland area.
"It will have a positive knock-on effect for other businesses and the community as a whole."
Mrs Bangs revealed that if all went to plan, building work could start as soon as Easter next year.
The Kyle of Sutherland area has suffered during the past few years with the closure of Carbisdale Castle youth hostel and the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre.
Formed in 2004 to address a lack of facilities and activities for young people in the area, KoSYDG now runs a youth club, toddler group and after school clubs and offers art, music and movement classes and other activities.
Although run mainly by volunteers, the group does have part-time youth leaders provided by High Life Highland to work with secondary school age children.
The group raised funding to purchase the old coal yard in 2008 and its current accommodation consists of two temporary former classrooms, along with a renovated double-decker bus and an old police unit, known as the tardis, which is used for storage.
The 1791m complex, which is also used by the Ardgay Army Cadet detachment, has no running water and only basic facilities.
KoSYDG managers have spent the last few years planning and consulting with a view to building a new centre.
The Big Lottery’s Investing in Ideas Programme awarded KoSYDG £10,000 in 2012 to carry out a feasibility study and funding was also forthcoming from the EoN Rosehall Community Fund.
Plans submitted to the council show a 480m, timber frame building with accommodation for a youth spaces, multi-use space, a fitness suite, soft play area and café.
KoSYDG agent Graeme Sutherland of London based architects Adams and Sutherland stated in papers submitted to the authority: "It is intended that this be the first of several phases of development on the site.
"The proposals consist of a balance between facilities for community and youth provision and facilities which have the capacity to generate income."
Future phases include creating bunk house accommodation; an educational Discovery Centre; an indoor climbing wall and an indoor play hall.
Mr Sutherland acknowledged in his statement to planners that there were recently refurbished village halls in Bonar Bridge and Ardgay.
But he stated: "The need to retain a neutral and tidy backdrop, to enable a complex timetable of uses, means that they are unsuitable to a growing and independent youth facility.
"Only when ‘the bus’ opened did the potential of the group become clear – members clearly preferred the independence of an under-heated bus to the organised warmth of the halls.
"The youth group in Bonar Hall failed several years earlier when attendances dropped to zero. Central to youth work is the principle that is especially important for young people, particularly those with disadvantages, to have the opportunity to ‘own’ or at least customise and occupy a dedicated space."
Judging by positive comments left on the council’s eplanning website, the project has been welcomed locally.
Kelly Raven described it as a "great project" which was needed in the area.
She said: "It will appeal to locals, visitors, young and old. It will create jobs and benefit other businesses. It is vital for the development of the area."
Karen Swinden commented: "This project is going to be a fantastic way to bring the community together with much needed resources for everyone of all ages."
And Lynsey Burns stated: "Not only will this create a central point within Kyle of Sutherland and a brilliant base for the community to connect, it will also draw people to the area, helping other local businesses.
"I’m delighted and I can only say that I hope it gets approval and that the building is completed soon."
t The area has attracted two other major grants in the past few months through the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust. It was awarded £144,512 from the Scottish Land Fund to buy the local Post Office, and £155,339 from the Climate Challenge Fund to help with eco projects.
