Hall upgrades among latest coastal communities funding awards
A GRANT of up to £100,000 to go towards an upgrade of the Fetlar hall roof is among the latest awards from Shetland’s coastal communities fund.
The Burra public hall has also been awarded nearly £70,000 towards an upgrade of toilet facilities.
The awards were approved by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday.
The Coastal Communities Fund is administered by Shetland Islands Council.
Money for the fund comes from revenues from Crown Estate assets, which is passed onto the council.
Applications for grants worth less than £50,000 are dealt with by officers under delegated authority.
Ability Shetland has been awarded just over £18,000 to fund a sports development support worker for two years.
The post would enable children, young people and adults with physical, learning and sensory disabilities to access physical activities and sports through short term one-to-one support.
North Yell Development Council was successful in its bid for £40,000 towards a “resilience hub” which would provide a coordinated response to emergencies such as power or weather events.
Hubs providing shelter, warmth, food, and communication would be established in the seven local halls in Yell.
Nearly £50,000 is heading to the Dunrossness Hall for the installation of a kitchen to table to offer full catering facilities.
It is also proposed to upgrade the hall’s external doors.
The Shetland Livestock Marketing Group has also been awarded £25,000 to install two wind turbines and a new infrared heating system in the sale ring area of the marts in Lerwick.
It is estimated there will be a yearly saving in electricity costs of more than £14,000 at current prices.
Around £25,000 is also going to Lerwick Boating Club to go towards the cost of a new rescue boat, updates to dinghies and club facilities.
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The anticipated outcome for the project will be safer and more enjoyable continuation of sail training for children, young people and the volunteer trainers, and to encourage more people to join the boating club to make use of its social facilities.
The Trondra Hall is in line to receive around £23,000 for upgrading its accessibility, including a ramp.
Around £11,000 has been awarded to the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary to also improve accessibility.
Councillors have to approve funding applications worth more than £50,000.
Elected members had no qualms with giving the green light to the applications from the Fetlar and Burra halls.
Councillors were told that the Fetlar hall roof is now 19 years old and beyond repair.
Meanwhile in the Burra hall a public survey identified the toilets as an area needing improvement.
Shetland Central councillor Moraig Lyall highlighted the importance of local halls in the community – as well as the burden placed on committees in maintaining the buildings.
SIC convener Andrea Manson agreed, adding that halls built in the 1970s, 80s and 90s will all be needing upgrades.
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