Big Lottery Fund
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New Muir of Ord community hub receives £1.1 million Lottery award

Plans to build a new community hub in Muir of Ord, near Inverness, have received a £1.1 million Big Lottery Fund boost, announced yesterday.

The Muir of Ord Hall & Facilities Company will use its £1,156,957 Growing Community Assets award to refurbish and extend the existing Old Tarradale School. This will provide a new community owned facility offering social and learning opportunities for 3,300 residents, as well as visitors to the village.

Announcing the funding, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “We know from our Growing Community Assets experience, that ownership of an asset can bring long lasting benefits to communities, including creating jobs and developing local services. I am delighted that the Muir of Ord Hall & Facilities Company is one of the latest groups to use our funding to help build a brighter future for local people. This new community hub will provide a focal meeting and learning space for the whole village and for future generations to come.”

From the new hub, the Calman Trust will operate a café which will provide training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people. Plans for the building also include a heritage and information centre, an auditorium, IT facilities and meeting space for groups to socialise.

Speaking on behalf of the Board and Members of Muir of Ord Hall & Facilities Company, Ian Dempster, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that our application for funding has been successful. The new community hub will improve the appearance of the village centre and provide a focal point for community activities.  The Company are also delighted to be working in partnership with The Calman Trust who, in providing the cafe service in the new hub, will offer employment and employment training opportunities for local young people.

“It is very exciting and we hope the Hub will be seen as a 'springboard' for wider regeneration of the community.  There is a wide range of excellent grassroots activity in the village and with a Community Development Worker, funded as part of the development, energy can be channelled to achieve improvements and increased opportunities for local people.”

The Big Lottery Fund’s Growing Community Assets fund supports communities to take control and influence over their own future through the ownership of assets.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1458
Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGScotland #biglf 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland

Notes to editors

• The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery.
• The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 it has awarded close to £6bn.
• In the year ending 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was awarded to projects. Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £31 billion has been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded.

 

Channel website: https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/

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