Whitburn’s Community Development Trust has enjoyed an exhilarating first week for adjusting to its new home in the town’s community centre.
Staff including CDT manager David McDonald, are in no doubt of the challenge that lies ahead.
But for David, who remembers attending a thriving building as a youngster, he hopes the community will rally round to help revive the valuable resource in Manse Road.
The centre was closed for almost two years after RAAC planking found its roof space. Now being run by the CDT as part of the transfer of community centres across the county the trust opened the doors on the new venture at the start of the month.
There has already been interest in hiring space and David is keen to promote the venue as a place that can serve every generation – from toddlers to pensioners. The building has two well stocked gyms, a purpose-built soft play area, a coffee lounge, meeting rooms and a three-court sports hall. There’s also a room matted for judo.
The CDT is in the process of moving its services from its current main street premises to the community centre though the community fridge will retain its place on West Main Street in the town.
Well established in the community the trust provides a range of services as a community support hub home to the Citizens Advice, general IT support and support for job seekers to upload CVs. It also offers access to four computers.
Since the Covid lockdown it has supported a Brunch club supplying meals to vulnerable people in the community. It has also started walking football club and helped the Friends of Polkemmet outdoor group re-establish.
David hopes that the community centre will be recognised as a welcoming and informal space that can offer practical help to individuals and groups.
Other options being looked at for future development include creating flexible workspaces, party and event venue lets as well as sporting lets and development of the gym facilities working with sports organisations.
Advice Services provided by the Citizens Advice staffer Alison Murray have moved to the centre.
There are teething problems, as with any moves but, said David: “nothing that can’t be solved.”
He added: “We had an opening day last Wednesday when we moved in. It was good to get people through the door, do that bit of marketing and promote the space.”.
The CDT is benchmarking hire prices against other community venues in the county and has done its own “due diligence” talking to other trusts about the best practice in managing community events. There will be changes but the trust is looking for consistency and fairness the way all groups are treated.
David added: “Once you explain to people that this is the case that we are the ones paying the bills and covering the costs I think they understand. In an ideal world we’d like to have our costs covered, but obviously we have to cover them.
David said: “I grew up in this community, I have a personal connection to the building, so I want to see it successful, and I want it to work for the community. I’m going to work as hard as possible to make sure that it works out.”
As trust manager David has until recently been a “one man band” as the only staffer in the trust. He he is now joined by Billie Hamilton as a development officer and Clarissa Moditz who works as the co-ordinator for the community garden in the grounds of the community centre.
For the first few months David and Billie will be combining their regular day jobs with manning the desk in the community centre and responding to enquiries about room hire.
It’s going to be a challenge, but with the community support the trust has already established over the years the team is optimistic that the centre can become the booming community hub it has been.
Your can find out about room hire by contacting the trust at [email protected]
By Stuart Sommerville Local Democracy Reporter
