Final piece of the funding jigsaw in place

£8million project to get underway in the autumn

Argyll and Bute Council’s £8million project to renovate Rothesay’s iconic Art Deco pavilion was given the green light to move forward today (Tuesday 3rd February) with the award of £3million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) meaning all the major funding is in place.

Leader of the council, Councillor Dick Walsh, said of this news: ‘’This is fantastic news; we’re delighted to have this endorsement of our project from HLF. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the project team who’ve done a fantastic job in putting this complex funding package together. We’ve secured money from a number of sources – Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Historic Scotland (HS), the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) and the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).

‘’These funding applications are very involved, with different criteria for each one, and the fact we’ve secured funding from so many sources is testament to the hard work and professionalism of our officers in this highly competitive environment.

‘’With the majority of the funding in place we can now get on with delivering the project and creating a fabulous, modern facility for culture, tourism and sport.

‘’The council’s top priority is creating the right conditions for jobs in Argyll and Bute and this project will do just that.’’

The Provost of Argyll and Bute, Rothesay-based Councillor Len Scoullar, said: ‘’I’m absolutely thrilled with this news. With all the main funders coming to the table, planning and listed building consent and a robust business plan we’re ready to move forward with the actual construction work.

‘’The renovated pavilion will provide the people of Bute, as well as visitors to the island, with a fantastic facility that they can be proud of; it will act as a community and cultural centre which will attract visitors and boost the local economy. I’d like to thank the local community, the council’s own staff and the pavilion charity for their contributions in getting us to this stage.

‘’We hope to continue this collaborative, partnership approach with the local community as we move forward with this project and the wider regeneration of the island.’’

Chair of the pavilion charity, Dr Nick Merriman, said: "I'm delighted that HLF has given such backing to the project. As well as providing support for the refurbishment of the building, their funding will allow the employment of an Engagement Officer to work with local schools and community members, and later on a Director who will develop the artistic and cultural programme. It's very exciting now to be at the point where we can really begin to put into action the plans that have been developed over a long period, and to look forward to the re-opened pavilion making such a difference to people's lives locally."

Colin McLean, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “This wonderful pavilion is evocative of Rothesay’s heyday as a thriving tourist resort. Its resurgence as a cultural venue for the local community and visitors will not only save an important piece of the Bute’s heritage but will have a positive impact on the regeneration of this town. HLF is delighted to help put Rothesay Pavilion back at the heart of island life and community pride.”

The pavilion is set to close in the autumn of 2015 to allow time for surveys and the removal of furniture and attachments, before construction work begins in January 2016 with a view to the newly renovated facility opening in the summer of 2017.