£60k shot in the arm for million-pound Monifieth community hub plan

Monifieth campaigners have received a boost with the release of £60,000 of Angus Council funding to help realise their decade-long dream of a million-pound community hub.

The sum is part of a near-£700,000 council commitment towards the purpose-built facility planned for land near the burgh’s popular Blue Seaway play area near the seafront.

Plans have been drawn up for the development, which will incorporate community space, a fitness suite, cafe, Changing Places toilet and potential for cinema screenings. It is hoped the tendering process will start this autumn, with a view to completion in 2021.

Angus Council’s commitment includes almost £350k from planning gain contributions from Monifeith’s Taylor Wimpey scheme and the Ashludie Hospital site.

Monifieth Community Resource Group is continuing to pursue the remaining funds.

Chairwoman Jean Lee said: “Up to now MCRG has managed to pay all the costs for professional fees for surveys, engineer reports, soil analysis, business plans, design plans etc from monies raised locally and profits from our running The Cabin but we have had no development/priming funding at all – it’s very scarce and Monifieth as an area doesn’t qualify for  the funding that is around.

“We are absolutely chuffed Angus Council has now agreed to release some of the monies and that they recognise the relevance and viability of our project, and are supporting us in this very tangible way.

“We are very grateful for the help, advice and support we have had from the senior officers within Angus Council.

“They have been keen to work through any issues with us and find a positive solution, even during the current difficult situation of Covid 19. It all bodes well for the future.”

She added: “We have applied to hundreds of funders and trusts, and continue to send in new applications every week, and awards keep trickling in.

The award of £108,000 from The Robertson Trust in December was a major boost for the group, and grants have continued to come in during the pandemic, with a further £5,000 award in recent weeks.

Jean continued: “Our new website is almost ready for launch and we had planned to have a community event at the beginning of June to raise awareness and update everybody, but that can’t happen now.

“The people of Monifieth can be assured that we’re pushing on with the project and with a fair wind we’ll have a wonderful fit-for-purpose community centre before 2021 is out.”