Community hub within touching distance of group

Monifieth’s £1.1 million community hub is on the cusp of a crucial stage. The team behind the Blue Seaway park project hope to sign the build contract within weeks.

But the vital step towards fulfilling the decade-long dream is being impacted by the escalating economic crisis.

Monifieth Community Resource Group say it has been a challenge to pin down prices from firms wanting to create the seafront centre, as contractors have no idea how much raw material costs are going to continue to rise by.

But MCRG members remain optimistic work will start soon and the hub will become reality early next year.

The hub will feature community space, a fitness suite, café, Changing Places toilet and potential for cinema screenings.

Group chairwoman Jean Lee said: “We are closing in on a contract, but it has been a lot of work to get prices because of the situation around the cost of materials.

“Covid hasn’t helped, but Brexit has certainly made it very difficult.

“Local firms are really supportive of the project and want to be involved. But their costs are going up all the time.”

It has also had an impact on how the completed building will look.

“Initially we were going to have a lot of timber in the building,” said Jean.

“But prices have just gone so high that we have had to change part of the structure – there will be more steel.

“It would be our intention to have a contract in place around the end of March or start of April. It’s a 10month build, so it should be here by next year.”

The group is also putting the final piece of the £1.15m funding jigsaw in place.

“We are short by around £100,000 at the moment,” Jean added.

“We are in discussion with funders at the moment. Some are local and are very keen to help.”

The group is also continuing discussions with Angus Council over the prospect of the town library and Access office moving to the new hub.

“Over the past year Angus Council have been so supportive with us and we have update meetings with them every month to six weeks now,” said Jean.

“There was also a community council meeting to discuss the library idea and I have to say the whole feeling around the project was very positive.

“This has been spoken about for so long, but people are seeing it as a certainty now.

“It was quite humbling to hear, and very encouraging.

“The momentum is really there now and we cannot wait to get started.”

GROUP EFFORT: Members of Monifieth Community Resource Group which is making progress in the bid to build a new £1.1 million community hub with community space and cafe. Picture by Steve Brown.