Inspirational news is that the Isle of Luing Community Trust has been awarded up to £360,000 for the planned Atlantic Islands Centre, from the European Regional Development Fund.
This means that the process of building the Centre can now begin.
This grant is in addition to the £754,910 already awarded by the Big Lottery Fund to build and staff the Centre, the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund award of £72,256 to make the Centre energy efficient and low maintenance, and the £15,000 awarded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig for Gaelic signage and interpretation.
The overall investment of over £1.2million in the Luing community is the largest in its entire history – a massive achievement for the drivers of this imaginative and ambitious project. Pulling funds like this together, as all those who try to do so know too well, is like herding cats. It is an effort requiring endless patience and determination – and the resolution to overcome disappointments en route to a moment like this one.
The Centre will provide much needed facilities for residents and visitors to take meals and refreshments, to celebrate and learn about the heritage of Luing and other islands, to visit art and craft exhibitions, to enjoy events and make use of work spaces for learning, health promotion and leisure.
It will be a community hub, also offering modern ICT facilities, providing jobs and volunteering opportunities which will assist the community to welcome the many visitors to our beautiful and historic island.
As a result of donations, its Buy A Slate appeal and fund-raising events, the Trust has also raised over £6,000 for the Centre and it will be continuing with its fund-raising efforts to equip the Centre fully. However, with £1.2 million funding secured, the Trust can now begin preparations to advertise for a Project Manager and for a building contractor for the Centre.
Trust Vice-Chair, Norman Bissell, says: ‘This is a huge achievement for the Centre and for the Luing community. We are delighted that all our hard work over so many years has paid off and would like to thank the funders and everyone who has helped us to obtain this tremendous outcome for the people of Luing. We are now looking forward to the Centre being built.’
The Trust is holding an open Information Night about the Centre in Cullipool Hall on Friday 30th November at 7.30 pm to discuss future activities to take place in the Centre and fund-raising events.
For further information and comment:
Contact Norman Bissell:
- by phone on: 01852 314322
- by email at: normanbissell@btinternet.com
or Trust Secretary, Peter Hooper:
- by phone on: 01852 314252
- by email at: lasta@btinternet.com
Argyl and Bute’s MSP, Michael Russell, a supporter of the project, has congratulated the Atlantic Islands Centre for securing the funding to allow the ground-breaking project to go ahead.
Photographs: Top: shows the magnificent view looking west to other Argyll islands from above Cullipool. This will be similar to the view from the Atlantic Islands Centre. Above: shows the view over the quarry pool in Cullipool to the ruined Engine Shed of the slate quarry where the Atlantic Islands Centre will be built.
