Monifieth has “never been closer” to achieving its long-craved community centre but it is now time for the burgh to throw its weight behind a fund-raising drive, according to the woman leading the effort.
Margaret Copland, who chairs the Monifieth Community Steering Group, is calling on local clubs and societies to join the campaign by having their say on what kind of facility they need and helping the group raise much-needed funds.
Angus Council has pledged £300,000, but estimates suggest up to £1.5 million more may be needed.
As The Courier reported on Saturday, Margaret said the community will have to dig deep to help with the fund-raising, but she remains confident that the sum can be raised and that grant funding will be available.
“I would like to think that we can acquire the funding and move forward with this but we need the community groups out there to get on board with us,” she said.
“Monifieth must have a good case for funding we’re the fifth biggest town in Angus, with 12,000 residents, and there’s no place for the community to meet.
“Otherwise it seems very hard on the people of Monifieth, with Montrose getting a new £12 million swimming pool and other places getting facilities refurbished and repaired.
“We have nothing in the first place for them to refurbish!
“Obviously, in partnership with the council, we’ll be trying for community funding and grants but, as with any application, there’ll have to be an element of fund-raising ourselves.”
Three sites for the centre have been proposed including the steering group’s preferred site on land adjacent to Invertay House.
Other options are at the burgh’s recycling centre or at the tennis courts and bowling green, though it is understood these are felt to be too far from the centre of the town.
“We have a preferred site but we want to take it to the public to see their reactions,” Margaret said. “We need to ask groups and organisations that would be using the facility what they want to get them to come on board and support us and help raise funds.”
A meeting to discuss plans will be held at the Panmure Hotel from 7pm on October 28, with all interested community members including groups and organisations likely to make use of the hall invited to attend.
Council planning officers and representatives of local architects will be on hand to discuss the plans.