Village halls are renovation ready

Renovation work on Leverburgh Village Hall is moving a step closer, with full funding for development plans now secure.

The closing date for contractors to submit tenders to complete the work is this week (Friday) and a planning application has been lodged with the council.

The regeneration is set to include replacing the roof, installing a new heating system and updating the internal layout of the building to make it more energy efficient.

Scalpay

In Scalpay, work on the Community Centre upgrade is already underway with OMAC construction on site, scaffolding up around the building and insulation work begun.

The community and heritage centre will benefit from improvements including new toilets, a new heating and insulation system, solar panels and a bigger kitchen.

Both halls received funding towards these energy-efficient changes through the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme. Scalpay also benefits from Highlands and Islands Enterprise support.

Halls share visions

MP Torcuil Crichton hosted a island-wide village halls meeting in Laxdale Village Hall last month, bringing together representatives from community halls across Harris and Lewis to share their experiences, and hear speakers including Community Energy Scotland. The Bays Centre, Leverburgh Village Hall, Scalpay Community Centre and Har-ris Forum attended. Feedback from the meeting will be shared in due course by the MP’s team.