‘It has been worth waiting for, but it has taken six years,’ said Chief Executive of The Broomhouse Centre Bridie Ashrowan.
The contract has just been signed for a new hub to be built in Broomhouse in a £3 million contract with Graham Construction.
The Broomhouse Centre have just announced that they have raise the funds to sign the contract and that the building will be ready by summer next year. With funding from the Big Lottery Fund, The Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, The City of Edinburgh Council, the Robertson Trust, Resilient Scotland, Clothworkers Foundation, Tudor Trust, Crerar Hotels, R S McDonald Trust and Robert Barr Charitable Trust and many others, the Chief Executive Bridie Ashrowan said she was very excited to tell us the news today.
She said : “Thank you from the community and ourselves, to all of our funders who have got alongside this us to create a new hub at its heart for the future. The hub can cope with more than twice the existing footfall and the community will have a facility that is fit for purpose with a wide range of activities. The organisation has always punched above its weight, with innovative services and enterprises, some of which are city wide, but this gives us the boost we need to really make a difference as a community-owned and managed asset.
“We will continue with all our existing services beside the site at St David’s Church for one year until the new hub opens, the café, the catering social enterprise and all our services for young and old.
“We have an on-going fundraising target of £500,000! This is to be able to complete the building: the garden, suitable for all, the very young and old, including people with dementia, and the furnishings, such as kit for a cinema night. If members of the community want to donate, our ‘Buy a brick’ for £10 campaign, will help us reach our target. We want it to be a truly vibrant centre.”
Welcoming contract signing, Valerie Jackman, the Chairperson of Broomhouse Centre & Enterprises said: ‘This is a very exciting time for The Broomhouse Centre. The staff work relentlessly to deliver a range of truly amazing services for the community, and the positive impact these services have is clear for all to see. Having a new purpose built Hub will not only allow us to continue this great work, it will enable us to grow and flourish at the heart of the community.’
Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director for GRAHAM said, ‘GRAHAM is delighted to be working with the Broomhouse Centre and is committed to delivering the new Broomhouse Hub. The new hub will rejuvenate this vital, community resource and much-needed focal point for the local people, led by local people, and serving people across South West Edinburgh.’
Councillor Cathy Fullerton said : “The team at the Broomhouse Centre have managed to make a long standing ambition become a reality. They have achieved this by sourcing the funding required and managing this project which will be a huge boost to the community. The Broomhouse Centre leads the way in growing and supporting our community by offering opportunities for all ages in employment, creative and physical activities. We have much to look forward to when the new hub is built.
Councillor Ashley Graczyk said : “Broomhouse Centre is a wonderful charity with lots of great initiatives being carried out by passionate staff and volunteers. I’m so looking forward to the completion of this exciting new building project.”
Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair said : “I am delighted that Broomhouse and the area will benefit from a new state of the art community hub, thanks to this contribution from the National Lottery. Since its launch ten years ago, our Growing Community Assets fund has invested £98 million in 181 projects across the country.
“This award to Broomhouse Centre & Enterprises is another great example of local people doing it for themselves and I look forward to following their progress as they pursue their community ownership ambitions.”
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