Ambitious plans for a £2.2 million community-run hub in Tayport have received a significant boost with a £250,000 contribution from Fife Council.
The amount awarded by members of the policy and co-ordination committee matches the sum pledged by north east Fife councillors in July.
It will be put toward the cost of the new building, which will offer tourism and sports facilities, a large café and space for community meetings and events.
Further funding, including £1.2m from the Big Lottery, has also been secured.
This week’s agreement has been widely hailed as fantastic news for what is regarded as an important community project.
Tayport councillor Tim Brett said he was delighted.
“The trust is now well on its way to raising the £2.2m it needs,” he said.
“They’re still maybe half a million pounds short but they have applications in to other trusts.
“Hopefully the fact the council has been so supportive of this, both at area level and today, will pave the way for other funders to come forward.”
North east Fife MP Stephen Gethins described the latest grant as a giant step forward.
“This funding…is great recognition of the confidence in this project and the hard work being put in by all involved,” he said.
“The community hub will be a huge asset to Tayport and the wider area and I have every confidence the committee will find the remaining sum and ensure that work can start early next year.”
The trust negotiated the transfer of a three-acre former steel fabrication works in Tayport from Fife Council in 2015.
It had lain derelict for 20 years and has now been demolished to make way for the state-of-the-art hub.
A robust business plan has been drawn up which will eventually see a camping and caravan site to take advantage of the hundreds of visitors to nearby Tentsmuir Forest and those using the coastal path and various cycle routes.
It is expected that in its first year of operation the hub will create six full-time equivalent jobs, six modern apprenticeships, three student placements and opportunities for 20 volunteers to develop skills and experience.
