Sustainability

We have assessed the revenue needed to manage the proposed centre together with the expected demand for its facilities.  A wide variety of potential income-generating uses have been considered particularly with respect to income from outside the area. The centre will be most in demand from locals in the winter months and there is, therefore, likely to be excess capacity in the summer season where facilities can be offered to tourists.   A variety of business opportunities have been discussed including the simple letting of space for sports activities, birthday parties and weddings, and the opening of a Historical/Cultural exhibition and tea room.

The headmaster of Dalmally Primary School has indicated his enthusiasm for this project and is keen for new facilities to be available to provide physical education.   In addition the Principal of Argyll College is keen to explore the potential for using the new centre for the provision of further education.   There have been recent positive contacts with the Argyll and Bute Community Education Unit with a view to their use of the Centre for continuing education.

Dalmally is well situated as a neutral venue for a variety of sporting events each of which has the potential to raise money for the centre.   Together with dances, concerts and other local fundraising events, it is crucial that these extra revenues are maximised in order to keep the centre’s hire charges at a level that will ensure maximal use by the local community.

An important additional source of operating capital will come from the sale of the existing hall site.   The trustees of the existing hall have indicated that when it becomes redundant on the opening of the new centre, selling the existing site and donating the money derived from this sale to the new centre will fulfil the conditions of their Trust.   This is expected to generate between £50,000 and £60,000.

Another opportunity is available in social enterprise contracts with public agencies, and this area will be explored although an initial assessment suggests limited applicability in the case of the Community Centre.

The minimisation of maintenance and heating/lighting costs has been explicit in the design brief.   In particular we have managed to redesign the original plans to include super-insulation in the walls and ceilings and we have opted for both an air to water heat pump and a ventilation heat recovery system. We anticipate that this will keep the hall both warm and dry with the lowest possible running costs.

The Company is confident that the new centre will be sustainable in the long-term.