Support to save Merkinch Community Centre grows
SUPPORT is growing for a campaign to save a popular community centre from the bulldozer.
Residents in Merkinch have launched a Save Our Centre campaign amid growing anger at controversial plans to knock down the existing building and replace it with a £10 million multi-purpose hub.
They are now being backed by others across the city and surrounding area.
At the centre’s sellout Christmas concert, members of the audience signed forms calling for the community centre to be retained and for any money to be diverted towards another building such as new family centre which was needed more in the area.
The event was attended by local residents as well as visitors from other parts of the city including a 35-strong group from Cradlehall plus 15 people from a lunch club in Maryburgh.
The forms will be delivered to Highland Council’s director of health and social care Bill Alexander.
The controversy erupted after it emerged council officers had submitted an application for £2 million of Scottish Government cash towards the project without fully consulting centre users.
A fighting fund to raise awareness of the campaign has been started with a £1000 donation from local resident and businessman Martin Pieraccini whose late mother, Agnes, was actively involved in the centre.
Highland Council is currently “reflecting” on the consultations to date which include an alternative suggestion to extend the centre and incorporate a family centre and build a shared leisure sports hub near Merkinch Primary School.
