Views sought on the future of Dingwall Town Hall

Views regarding the future of Dingwall Town Hall are being sought at a public meeting to be held in Dingwall on Thursday 19 January at 7.00pm.  During this meeting there will be an opportunity to hear about some of the options already being considered and for people to put forward and contribute their own ideas.

The Highland Council, in line with local authorities up and down the country, is having to consider the operational future of many of the assets that traditionally, it has managed directly.  Leisure and other activities have already been transferred to an arms-length organisation, High Life Highland, as the Council faces the challenge of delivering services in the current economic climate.

A team of consultants, architects and other professionals has been commissioned to undertake the options appraisal assignment and is reporting to a stakeholder group chaired by Councillor Peter Cairns and comprising interested parties and users of the complex.  This Options Appraisal is being 90% financed by the European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme.

The team carrying out the appraisal options is widely experienced in community projects, with achievements such as the Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion, The Highland Archive, Nairn Community Centre and the Knockando Wool Mill as successful completions in the north. It is led by management consultants, Compass:TMRP of Inverness in conjunction with Scottish Architects of the Year 2011, LDN Architects of Forres.  So far, the team has interviewed representative users of the Town Hall, issued questionnaires to the general public and analysed the returns, surveyed the building and held an open day in early December.

Councillor Cairns said:  “It is from this work to date that a number of options for the future have been identified but the job is not finished.  That is why we want as many people as possible to come along to the public meeting on the 19th.   We want as much contribution as possible regarding the future of Dingwall Town Hall which stands in such a prominent place on the High Street.”

The meeting takes place in Dingwall Town Hall on Thursday 19 January at 7.00pm.