South Ayrshire Council is giving further support towards the development of Symington Community Hall by donating £15,280 towards the second phase of the ambitious project.

Councillor Hywel Davies, the Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Rural Communities Committee presented a cheque for £15,280 to John Nimmo who accepted it on behalf of Symington Community Projects Limited. 

Symington Community Projects Limited was originally formed by a group of local people who were determined to provide a community facility in their village.  The facility had to be one that could be used for a range of activities, by people of all ages and with appropriate facilities for those with disabilities.

After presenting the cheque Councillor Davies said:  “The Board members of the Symington Community Projects Limited and the people who use the hall worked very hard to get the hall refurbished and operating efficiently.

“I know that the funding being provided by the Council towards the second phase of the project, to complete the refurbishment of the hall, will be put to very good use.

“What has been achieved in Symington clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when local people and the Council work together to improve facilities for people of all ages within a community.”

In 2004 the Council decided that it would contribute to a funding package aimed at assisting Symington Community Projects Limited to develop a community facility.  The funding was conditional on the company assembling a funding package which, including the Council’s contribution, would meet the total cost of the project.

Symington Community Projects Limited has worked hard to attract external funding to meet the total cost of the £190,000 project.  Stage one of the project involved major refurbishment of the main part of the existing building and the installation of disabled access and toilets. Stage two will involve improvements in the annexe to the existing building and hard landscaping around the building.

John Nimmo of Symington Community Projects Limited said:  “This project is very important to local people and it is definitely improving the lives of people living in and around the village.  Since this project started the Council has been very supportive, Councillors and Officers have given advice and guidance, and we have also received financial support and for this we are very grateful.”

Pictured within Symington Community Hall are (left to right) Reverend Alastair Sanderson, Councillor Hywel Davies, John Nimmo, Symington Community Projects Ltd and Bob Baillie, Community Funding Co-ordinator.

November 2006