CAMPBELL Scott, a trustee of the Langholm Initiative and project leader for the proposed community sports centre in Townfoot, was guest speaker at the patrons’ lunch in the Buccleuch Centre on Tuesday.
He was welcomed by Gavin Graham, Buccleuch Centre chairman, who also thanked the patrons for their ongoing support.
After a delicious lunch, Campbell gave a very informative and interesting presentation about the sports centre and where they were up to with raising the funds to support the project.
The project’s mission was to develop and operate a first-class, modern community-led centre which would be embraced by the community and benefit the general well-being and welfare of the wider community in Langholm and Eskdale.
Edinburgh Woollen Mill closed the centre a year ago and the Langholm Initiative collaborated with the building’s owner Ashleybank Investments to carry out a survey of residents to ask whether they wanted the centre to stay open.
There was significant support for that, with 92 per cent of 979 respondents saying they would use a redeveloped centre.
Popular activities included swimming, tennis, a gym and fitness suite, squash court, soft play area, a climbing wall and social hub area.
Campbell said the project was now in the design feasibility stage.
The main tasks were to complete a building condition survey; develop concept design layout drawings; prepare cost plans for design options; identify and approach potential capital funders; determine the initial project budget required; and prepare and issue a business plan.
Patrons asked a number of questions, including whether it would it be possible to have the tennis courts under cover for some of the time and whether there would be a lifeguard on duty at all times in the swimming pool and whether the centre would be accessible to day visitors and tourists.
A vote of thanks was given by Gavin. The next lunch is on Tuesday, June 2.