The Grand Opening of The Auld School Community Centre took place on Saturday 22nd June 2024, with a large number of community members in attendance, in addition to some of the key personnel who had been involved in the redevelopment of the school. Former pupil and teacher of Pinwherry Primary School, Jean Wyllie, cut the ribbon to the newly refurbished community venue and shared a few memories of her time at the school over the years. Once inside, Councillor Alec Clark of South Ayrshire Council gave a speech, commending the efforts of the community in coming together to realise their collective dream of having an accessible, fit for purpose community centre and providing an overview of the (long!) road to this point. Marie McNulty, Chair of Pinwherry and Pinmore Community Development Trust spoke a few words and thanked the late Peter Walker, her fellow trustees, volunteers, partners and Amy-Dee Watson, Community Project Officer, for securing funding and bringing this project to fruition. The community and invited guests, then enjoyed a lovely buffet and spent time viewing old memorabilia of the school, set out on a table in the main hall.
Pinwherry and Pinmore Community Development Trust acquired the former school site in April 2021 after a successful Community Asset Transfer from South Ayrshire Council. Since this time, we have secured funding to refurbish the building into a community facility and the works have been carried out in three phases. Phase 1 was the essential repairs of both buildings, which took place between January and June 2022, Phase 2 was the redevelopment of the north end of the building, which was carried out between September and December 2022 and Phase 3 was the redevelopment of the south end of the building, which took place between January and May 2024.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our funders; Advancing Community Assets Fund, Carrick Futures (ScottishPower Renewables), Assel Valley Wind Farm (Renantis), Pinwherry and Pinmore Community Council, Hadyard Hill Wind Farm (SSE Renewables), Kilgallioch Community Benefit Fund (ScottishPower Renewables), Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Pinwherry and Pinmore Community Fund. Thanks should also go to our professional partner organisations and businesses; South Ayrshire Council, Foundation Scotland, ARPL Architects, Westgale Ltd Property Maintenance, McGowan Miller Construction Consultants and Creetown Initiative Limited.
