New Community Centre Officially Opened

The new Inverclyde Council-funded Inverkip Community Centre has been officially opened by the Queen’s Representative the Lord-Lieutenant of Renfrewshire.

Inverkip Community Centre Opening Feb 2017

Mr Guy Clark performed the honours at the £1.8 million building which includes a multi-purpose community hall, changing rooms, library, training centre and meeting room.

He said: “It is a great pleasure to be opening the doors to this imposing Community Centre. Inverkip continues to rapidly expand and this state of the art Community Centre will provide superb facilities for the growing population. All of us living in and around Inverkip owe a huge debt of gratitude to both Inverclyde Council and the Inverkip Community Initiative for working together culminating in this magnificent facility for the young and not so young members of the local community. This creation could not have come at a better time.”

Education & Communities Convener Councillor Terry Loughran said: “The building has very quickly become a focal point for local people and a beating heart at the centre of the community. Of course it is not just about bricks and mortar – it is also about the hard work and dedication of the people who run and use the new centre, creating opportunities and activities for the community creating a real sense of togetherness.”

Central to the design is the internal ‘street’ providing access to all areas but also acting as a meeting space.

The multi-function hall provides both sports and social recreation facilities and opens out onto the village green. There is also an all-weather 3G 5 a side synthetic pitch with floodlighting.

The centre is run by Inverkip Community Initiative which was set up to work with the Council in the design, construction and running of the new community centre.

Chairman Bill Stewart said: “After a long journey we are delighted that we now have an excellent facility for the use of the local community.  The initial feedback from users of the Hub has been very positive and we look forward to providing and improving services and facilities at, and to a level, which meets the needs of the community. “

Photograph:

L to R Standing: Councillor Martin Brennan, Cliff Lyons, Bill Stewart, Mr Guy Clark, Councillor Terry Loughran, Councillor Luciano Rebecchi, John Arthur and Provost Robert Moran.

L to R kneeling: Cadet Stephen Gregory, Councillor Gerry Dorrian and Hub Manager Kevin Rodgers.