Girvan Town House to receive funding from the Big Lottery Fund

The building is already used for a variety activities, but more funding could help achieve these ambitions which could also see a community kitchen and bring more young people to the area. 

Roddy Macdonald, town team coordinator, explained: “We are discussing the finishing touches to the project. We will engage with the Big Lottery Fund and try and obtain further funding of £2000.

“I am in discussions with them and they are being really helpful. We are told about the diminishing budget for many buildings.

“We can’t improve without money and my job is to see how we can do that. Additional money will go towards the arts culture. 

“If we had a community kitchen we could use it events. That is also something we need funding for. “

Roddy explained the history of the town house and what it used for today: “The Town House was previously owned by someone who was quite rich. It was then developed into a registry office for people to get married before it became a JP court.

“The council spent £300,000 to get it up and running and now it serves as a visitor information centre. There are so many uses for the Town House but we want to establish it as a nerve centre - which will act as a vibrant community hub for residents.”

At the moment the building is used as a facility for Stepping Stones for families, VASA who offer a toenail service, town team meetings, community events, the Little Art School and an Alzheimers group.

Roddy added: “The Alzheimers group ties in with our dementia friendly project. We offer gentle exercise and an opportunity to allow those with the condition to reminisce. 

“It is amazing to see them remember something that happened in the 1950s for example a football match and they can tell you exactly what happened.”

It is hoped that the Big Lottery funding project will allow the town team to add the finishing touches to the town house and allow it to become a community hub.