HISTORY OF PROJECT

In January 2006 St Marnans Sports Club were appointed to work together with Aberchirder & District Community Association (A&DCA) to progress a project to erect an All Weather Astro-Turf enclosure, alongside the current pavilion/gym. The current pavilion is managed by A&DCA. It houses a community gym which doubles as a meeting room, a small kitchen, 2 team changing rooms, a referees changing room and toilets. Whilst this building was sufficient for the communities needs when it was first built over 10 years ago, the community and the increased sporting activities have now outgrown this building.

Aberchirder is a small rural village with a population of approximately 1200 (rising to 2500 to include surrounding rural areas). Initially it was felt that the funding costs of an All Weather pitch were at the upper limits of what the community could feasibly achieve. All Weather pitches had also successfully been erected and managed within a number of local communities in the local area and it was felt that we could aspire to match these achievements. The project progressed well with tenders being submitted.

In August 2006 a series of events led us to reassess the project. Scottish Parliament sent out a questionnaire regarding sports facilities in the area, advice received from Sport Scotland, Aberdeenshire Sports Council and Aberdeenshire Leisure & recreation led us to believe that we could set our sights on a much bigger goal. Feedback from the community suggested that whilst there were no objections to the All Weather pitch, it would have limited use for the majority of the community and that a hall to accommodate a range of different activities/needs would serve the community better.

In October 2006 St Marnans Sports Club took the new proposals to a village meeting to seek the opinions of the local community.

December 2006, St Marnans Sports Club committee unanimously agreed that the way forward for the club was to amend the project to a sports, learning & recreation centre, which would better meet the needs of the whole community. 3 sub committees were set up to ensure best use of committee members skills and to progress the project.

ST MARNANS SPORTS, LEARNING & RECREATION CENTRE PROJECT.

With renewed community backing and interest, the project gained forward momentum under the 3 enthusiastic sub-committees.

Design team

Neil Murray

Duncan Henderson

Scott Chalmers

All 3 of these members have many years experience of the building trade, managing projects, employing people and liaising with architects, planning department, etc. Brief is to liaise with architect to obtain drawings, submit for planning and arrange tenders suitable to application.

Application team

Adrian Inglis

Jan Skyner

Carol Gregor

All 3 of these members have vast experience of the financial sector and people management. CG is a senior employee of a major bank, JS is a college lecturer involved in developing Skills for Work courses. AI was involved in the original project to have the current pavilion funded and built. This has now been

managed successfully for 12 years. Brief is to obtain required paperwork which may include financial planning, available funding, confirmations of support, feasibility study, business plan.

Fundraising team

Willie McKinnon

Remaining 11 committee members

This team has a wide range of experiences and have successfully organised and managed a diverse selection of fundraising activities. Brief is to put in place a series of fundraising ideas and events with high aims over the next 2 to 3 years.

31^st January 2007

Meeting with Duncan Leece (Banffshire Partnership), Terry Parker (Aberdeenshire Learning & Recreation), Jim Conn (Aberdeenshire Sports Council), Kenny Benzie (local councillor), Bob Munro (architect) and 10 committee members. Highly successful meeting with a lot of valuable input. Outcome of meeting was for St Marnans Sports Club to undertake its own feasibility study, thus ensuring all partnerships were valid and sustainable.

March 2007

Application team: currently seeking views/support from local groups, A&DCA accepted our proposals to extend the current pavilion, awaiting income/expenditure figures from similar projects.

Fundraising team: many activities planned over coming months, refer to fundraising page.

Design team: have arranged to view similar projects in the area to discuss strong & weak points.

April-June 2007

Application team have been working hard to identify community needs. Using the Community Action Plan, produced under the ‘Making it Real’ banner, which highlights the communities concerns & needs we were able to identify 6 points that the project will meet. The team then actively sought and secured partners to ensure the success of these programmes. Questionnaire sent to 120 young adults asking them to identify activities they would like to see in the village, 99 replies received, giving us a good understanding of the wishes of the youth.

The project now has a very sound basis for moving forward. We have identified the needs of local people, as well as those in surrounding areas and identified ways in which we can meet those needs with the support of partners.

The proposed project will include: 3 court sports hall which can also double as a function room, attached kitchen area, drop in café, meeting room, larger gym, changing rooms, including disabled facilities, classroom, workshop and storage areas.

Working with our partners we aim to meet the following action points from the Community Action Plan:

1) More activities for young people

2) Local tradesmen could pass on their skills to young people

3) Community shop for local producers/café for different age groups

4) Management of Cleanhill woodland

5) Drop in centre for mums

6) Walking group

August 2007

Following a number of meetings with A&DCA, local councillors & Andrew Bauer (H&IE –lottery funding for communities) the application team has taken on board some of the advice offered. Contact made with Aberdeenshire Council regarding the land ownership, business plan is progressing well with the support of Banffshire Partnership, public consultation planned once we have plans of a sufficient standard for the public to view. Princess Royal Sports Trust delivered a successful summer programme in the village, using the current pavilion and the park.

September 2007

Aim to increase sports activities is now underway. Netball & badminton now being offered to various age groups, although gaining access to a hall of sufficient size has been very difficult and has only been possible by amending football training times and amalgamating some age groups, which is not ideal, however, these problems will be resolved by the new hall.

Design team are experiencing problems with the draft plans due to architects heavy workload.

October 2007

Application team: Andrew Bauer (H&IE) offered his support, he is optimistic about our project and wishes to see it progress. We have been approached by a member of the community, who wishes to develop a boxing club following requests from local youth. He seeks our support, we agreed to push this new activity forward in the new year.

Business plan progressing well, but unable to complete due to design/costing delays

Design team: still awaiting plans

Fundraising teams: numerous activities planned, see fundraising page.

November 2007

Application team: Huntly FC have approached us with a view to creating a future partnership. Awaiting meeting with Duncan Leece of Banffshire partnership (currently away) to further develop business plan.

Design team: emergency committee meeting called to discuss lack of progress with plans. Due to the current architects excessive work load the committee decided to approach another architect. We parted on good terms, with the architect explaining that the problems had been caused by his unexpected, increased workload. Design team to pursue plans as soon as possible.