Councillor remains ‘mystified’ over £450,000 estimate to fix Arbroath Community Centre roof

Angus Council officials say they expect original project quotes for repairs to Arbroath community centre to be lower after a drone survey on the sandstone building.

By Graham Brown

February 28 2024, 6:00am

Uncertainty surrounds Arbroath community centre's future. Image: Graham Brown/DC Thomson

Exact estimates to repair Arbroath’s Community Centre roof should be known within weeks after a councillor said she was still “mystified” by the original £450,000 figure for the job.

The listed Marketgate building is unwanted by Angus Council after Angus Alive handed it back to the authority last year.

It served as a vaccination centre during the pandemic.

Humza Yousaf at Arbroath Community Centre. — Humza Yousaf received a Covid jag at Arbroath Community Centre in his role as Health and Social Care Secretary during the pandemic. Image: Paul Reid

But a feasibility study has been launched to try and secure a community-led future for the once popular facility.

However, the roof of the sandstone property is leaking.

The council also wants to lower the centre’s ceiling to make it more energy efficient.

Project deferred last year

In September, councillors were told a new roof for the 140-year-old building would cost £450,000.

They stalled the project and have now learned a lower estimate should come forward in April.

Independent councillors Jill Scott and David Cheape led concerns around the scale of the original quote.

At Angus communities committee on Tuesday, Ms Scott said she was still “a little bit mystified” where the £450k figure had come from.

Vibrant communities director Alison Smith said it was an identified quote at the time.

“What that figure didn’t present at the time were options which took in a drone survey and lesser repairs that would still make good the roof,” she said.

Those estimates will be presented to councillors on April 16, she added.

Committee worked ‘as it should’

Committee convener Mark McDonald defended the handling of the roof issue.

“This has been described as controversial,” he said.

“The committee acted like the committee should.

“Issues were raised, the committee took a decision and it has been brought back.

“That’s how I’d like to see us do business.”

Ms Scott responded: “I agree that our concerns were raised and they were listened to.

Brechin Councillor Jill Scott — Brechin Independent councillor Jill Scott. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

“But it’s a good job we did or it may just have gone through.

“I’d still like to know where the £450,000 figure came from because it was before a drone survey and it obviously can be done a lot cheaper.”

Carnoustie councillor Brian Boyd said: “It just shows what we can do when we work together rather than be fighting all the time so well done to both (councillors Scott and Cheape).”