A key step has been taken to bringing the Princess Louise Hall in Rosneath back into regular use for the first time in decades.
A charity is bringing the hall and the adjacent Howie Pavilion together for the first time, and has invited the public to have a say on the future.
There will be open days at both buildings next month and a survey has been launched for residents and interested parties to say how they would like to see both the project evolve and to scope the building’s future use.
“We are now getting stuck into the job of securing the future of these two buildings and transforming them into the vibrant community meeting places they can and should be,” said Maggie Irving, chair of the Princess Louise Hall Charity.
“We hope that as many people as possible will fill in our survey and we can’t wait to open the halls up to visitors during October.
“For some local residents, it’s quite likely this will be the first time they’ve actually seen inside the Princess Louise Hall, which has been out of regular use for about two decades, and it will also give them the chance to look carefully at the Howie Pavilion and the flexible space it can also offer.
“What people have been surprised by is the amount of space especially in the Howie – there is a massive amount of space and the ideas people are coming up with is amazing.”
The charity’s executive is made up of Maggie, vice chair Jan Arthur, secretary Andy Gillon, treasurer Jackie Davidson and funding officer Hilary Lowson, who drew up the survey and has significant past experience of supporting charities and accessing funding and grants.
The hall open days will take place from 1pm to 3pm on Sundays October 1, 15 and 29, and Saturdays October 7 and 21.
Clothing from the former Rosneath Pipe Band, including kilts, sporrans, socks and gilets will be on sale to raise funds at the open days, while the committee have asked for anyone with old photographs of the buildings to get in touch via the website so that an archive and display can be created.
A signing date for the lease has not yet been confirmed but the team is optimistic that this will be done by the end of October.
The properties have been surveyed and when the results are known this will form the first steps in addressing structural priorities.
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