The Netherholm community in Castlemilk is celebrating its long-awaited showpiece hall – a brand new £1million hub designed to bring the community together.
Campaigners fought tirelessly for nearly 20 years to create the community facility.
In 2016, they won funding of almost £1million from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland. Two years later, the hall’s doors have now opened following an official launch by former Lord Provost and local councillor Sadie Docherty - a long-standing supporter of the campaign.
Unveiling a commemorative plaque, Sadie said:
“This is an important day for the community. All that work has paid off and we have a new community hall which this wonderful community can be very proud of.”
George Alexander, Vice Chair of the Netherholm Area Association which undertook the campaigning, said:
“This is a great step forward for our community. We have campaigned long and hard for a facility such as this and it is wonderful to see it here.
“It has been overwhelmingly welcomed by everyone and the community will put it to good use. Above all, it will help to bring people together.”
The new facility, constructed by Cruden Building, sits alongside 22 new homes built by Thenue Housing, to which the Area Association is affiliated.
Gordon Lee, Director of Cruden Building, said:
“At Cruden Building, we are committed to supporting good causes in the local areas that we work in. We’re delighted to have built this brand new facility as part of our work with Thenue Housing Association, where we have delivered a landmark housing development of 22 energy-efficient new homes.
“We hope the Netherholm Hall will provide a fantastic resource for local residents and the wider Castlemilk community.”
Charles Turner, Chief Executive of Thenue Housing, said:
“The members of the community who campaigned so effectively for this hall are living proof that quitters never win and winners never quit. The effort that has gone into delivering this hall for the community has been truly inspirational.”
The hall will host community events and also contains an information technology suite to deliver learning opportunities for local people. Thenue will run its recently-announced digital learning initiative known as “Clic” from the hall.
There will also be a strong focus on activities for children and families, offering something for everyone whether they are young or old.
The official opening also allowed the community to pay tribute to local campaigner Yvonne McShea who died in 2013. Yvonne was a former Chair of Thenue Housing and was an early supporter of community-based housing in Castlemilk.
The information technology suite has been named in her honour – an idea which came from her fellow campaigners and which stands as a lasting legacy to her drive and commitment. Members of Yvonne’s family were present at the opening.
Image: Gordon Lee, Director of Cruden Building at Netherholm Community Centre
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