Newlands £1.7m celebration

David O'Leary • Published 2 Dec 2011 09:30 0 Comments

NEWLANDS' groundbreaking £1.7m community project is finally open for business.

Keys to the state-of-the-art Centre were received by the directors of Newlands Community Development Trust (NCDT) last month.

And local community groups are already benefiting from its use.

A reception was also held yesterday (Thursday) to allow funding bodies, councillors, SBC officials and the professional teams who supported the project, to view the facilities.

The entire project began back in 2003 when it was proposed that Newlands Primary be closed and its pupils transferred to West Linton Primary.

Campaigners stepped in to raise funds to save the 86-pupil school and create a new community facility, forming a community trust and amassing an incredible £1.7 million warchest.

The new facility comprises a large sports hall, a fully equipped kitchen with dining area, a dedicated nursery, a library, plus adult learning and IT facilities.

The first group to hire the new large sports hall last week was West Linton Tennis Club before the Rotary Club hosted a dinner for over 40 guests on Monday night.

The after school club are also making use of the nursery facilities and the school are enjoying the new facility too especially the school netball team who are now able to play without wearing hats, scarves and gloves.

Coach Sue Steel who coached the youngsters to their recent success, when they were runners up in the Small Schools competition, said: "It is just great to be inside in the warm on a proper court. The children really enjoy playing on a flat surface and not being squished up or treading on the lines without rubbing them out."

The good news doesn't end there as NCDT have also recently appointed Derek Harkins as development manager for the new centre.

He said: "The job of developing the centre, in order to achieve its full potential is no doubt going to be a challenge but once people see what the centre has to offer and the quality of the building itself and its beautiful setting, I know we will be on a winner."

An Open Day will be staged tomorrow (Saturday) between 10am and 4pm to allow all community members to see the new facility and the refurbished Newlands Primary School.

The Amazing Carlops' Jazz band are also pencilled in to play the centre on December 9 and tickets are available from Newlands Centre 01968 660980, West Linton Post Office, or Broughton Village shop.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 02 Dec 11

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