Kirkton Community Centre Update

A new community centre run by local people is set to be established in the Kirkton area of Dundee. 

A partnership between a local charity - Kirkton Community Centre SCIO - and the city council has been agreed this week to pave the way for the purpose-built facility. 

Following the closure and demolition of the current ageing Kirkton Community Centre, the charity intends to build and run a new centre on the same site. 

The activities and services being delivered from that location would complement the city council’s Community Hub model for the area, which will be based at the nearby Baldragon and St Paul’s academies. 

Previously agreed by councillors, the Hub model will see community activities provided at the two local secondary schools, with the library located at St Paul’s Academy. 

Melanie Kiyani, Treasurer of Kirkton Community Centre SCIO, said: “Our members are residents of Kirkton, and we have ambitious plans for a new purpose-built community centre which will be run and owned by the community of Kirkton for the community of Kirkton. 

“We are working in partnership with Dundee City Council to realise our ambitions. The new community centre will complement the Kirkton Community Hub model by providing space during the day where people can access a fully operational café, retail units, daily activities and support.  

“The main aim of the new community centre will be to create community wealth.  Funds raised through the community centre and other initiatives will go straight back into community projects for Kirkton as we are a not-for-profit organisation.” 

The charity is currently raising funds to build the new facility, which would be community owned and run. 

Leader of Dundee City Council Councillor Mark Flynn said: “I would like to congratulate all those behind the Kirkton Community Centre SCIO for their efforts in bringing their plans to this stage. 

“The council will be assisting the group through demolition of the current community centre and an arrangement going forward about the site. 

“They are planning to deliver a number of activities that would complement the Community Hub and would provide a range of benefits for local people. 

“I am also pleased that they continue to play their part in the working group tasked with delivering our new Community Hub vision in the coming months. 

“Between the charity’s community provision and our exciting Hub plans, Kirkton residents can look forward to having access to excellent community spaces and activities day and night, all year round.” 

The charity said that the new community centre will provide employment and volunteering opportunities for local people and a space “where enterprise and innovation can flourish.” 

Melanie continued: “Internally, the new community centre will provide a large rentable multi-purpose space for social events and community groups to use. 

“There will be a rentable sensory room, a large low-cost community café open five days a week. There will be two retail units available for local people to rent in order to run local businesses. 

“The building will also contain a community post office and parcel pick up / drop off point. The building will be fully accessible and contain a changing places toilet. It will also have full Wi-Fi coverage.  

“Externally the community centre will include a car jet wash, community washing machines and electric charging points along with a large community garden and orchard. 

“There will also be outdoor seating accessible via the community café and the Strathmartine Community Food Larder will also run from a cabin based in the outdoor area."

More information about the charity’s plans can be found on their website: www.kirktoncommunitycentre.co.uk 

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