Hub funding a welcome boost for Strathdearn
Strathdearn residents are celebrating an injection of £500,000 to help build their new community Hub in Tomatin. Strathdearn Community Developments, the local community company, is one of several bodies in the Highlands to get support from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. Further funding for the Hub will come from community benefit associated with local wind farms.
The funding secured by the Highland Council on behalf Strathdearn Community Developments will help develop a 21st century community hub that will include the community run village shop and café alongside new community space and the covered sports pitch.
This forward-looking building will be highly insulated with renewable energy features, digital technology and charging points for electric vehicles and cycles. The Hub will showcase local food and drink, arts and crafts and traditional music events. Interpretation at the Hub will be centred on the unique culture and heritage of the upper River Findhorn, enhancing the visitor experience and promoting economic opportunities.
This exciting new project will strengthen the community in Strathdearn create a better place for people to live and visit and help ensure a sustainable future. The Hub is a key stone in a range of projects being delivered by the community company including ultra-fast fibre broadband to 50 households in Moy, a carer scheme to support elderly and ill people in their own homes and an improved path network. Further broadband and affordable housing projects are in the pipeline.
Richard Cooling, chair of Strathdearn Community Developments, said “We are delighted to get this support through the Highland Council and Scottish Government. We hope to start on the site in the early summer and open in 2019”. He added “with a thriving primary school and young families moving into the area, healthy visitor numbers at Tomatin Distillery and improvements to the A9 – the Hub project will really make Strathdearn one to watch!”
Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson wishes Richard and his team the very best with their plans. She said: “It is terrific news to get the confirmation that this funding is in place and credit must go to everyone involved for their hard work and efforts to secure this money. I look forward to seeing work on this exciting project get underway as it’s going to play an important role in breathing new life into the community.”