No grand opening but a busy first year for community hub
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Although the Covid-19 crisis meant that the Strathdearn complex in Tomatin never had its planned grand opening, it has been an eventful first year for the community hall since it opened in October 2019.
The hall successfully ran various meetings, a ceilidh, cinema nights, craft fairs, a conference and a wedding showcase before lockdown forced the staff to shut again.
However, events have moved on and the hall continues to run various outdoor activities on the covered sports pitch and there are plans for a socially-distanced cinema night.
Janet Cross, the Strathdearn events manager and a former wedding co-ordinator, said: “For many businesses and communities it has been a difficult time and it has not been the first year in the job that I expected. However, we’re pleased to be able to start offering some services again whilst taking all the precautions we can.”
The volunteer board and staff of Strathdearn Community Developments, the community group behind the development, still hope to be able to hold an official opening to celebrate the completion of the first new community build in Strathdearn for 20 years.
Wind farm money coupled with a grant from the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and loan capital from Social Investment Scotland was used to construct an innovative financial package to fund the £2.5 million multi-functional hub, which was built to high environmental specifications by local company, Compass Building and Construction Services.
The adjacent community shop and bakery and the café, JP (Jammy Piece) at The Strathdearn have continued to trade well since they opened in July 2020.
Shop manager Paula Morgan said:“We are grateful that we were able to continue to serve the community and welcome visitors to the area. The shop and café are places where people can continue to interact safely and have the social contact they need.”