North Uist Development Company earlier today received the keys for the former Lochmaddy Primary School
Abigail Taylor
Lochmaddy School is one step closer to redevelopment as a community hub and environment centre after North Uist Development Company received the keys for the building earlier today (26th March 2021).
Lochmaddy School closed along with Carinish School and Paible School in 2016, as all children on North Uist moved to new single school site at Sgoil Uibhist a’ Tuath.
Constructed in the 1970s, Lochmaddy School sits on the edge of the village, with the original building dating back to the late 1800s.
Scottish Land Fund (Stage 2) funding enabled the asset transfer from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to North Uist Development Company.
Earlier today Cllr Roddy MacKay handed over the keys for the former school to North Uist Development Company director, Dr Jean Archer. Cllr Iain MacLeod is also pictured, along with North Uist Development Company directors Stuart and Pam MacPherson, manager Dr Ameena Camps, and Colin Russell from contractor D MacDonald.
North Uist Development Company director Pam MacPherson said: “It is so exciting, finally, to reach this stage and to have the keys in our hands. I can’t believe it is actually happening.
“Over the last year North Uist Development Company has managed to get funding for the asset transfer, for an external COVID-19 resilient toilet block and for the environment centre exhibition.
“We are working closely with the architect and the project managers to get the community hub and environment centre up and running as soon as possible.”
Development plans for phase one and two of the project include a community hub and environment centre, which will be a new innovative facility showcasing the unique natural environment of the islands.
Meanwhile the community hub enterprise will bring land and the building back into community use, while focussing on widespread community needs and benefits. It intends to provide a welcoming gathering place for the community and visitors and act as an incubator for learning and enterprise.
Accommodation for visitors, students and temporary workers will be added in later phases of the project, with North Uist Development Company eager to reopen the former school building as soon as possible.
Rentable space will be made available, and there are already interested parties. North Uist Development Company says work will be undertaken in phases and will involve the community every step of the way.
More funding is currently being sought for phases one and two, including for renewable energy for heating and electricity to support the environmental ethos of the development and Scotland’s green recovery from COVID-19.
Further information about the Lochmaddy School project will be shared at the forthcoming annual general meeting of North Uist Development Company, which will be held online on 17th April 2021 (all members welcome).
North Uist Development Company is a community company and charity, established in 2010 to develop a sustainable and viable community by promoting the social, educational, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing of North Uist.
North Uist Development Company has been developed by its members, managed by a board of voluntary directors, and guided by the North Uist Community Development Plan (2018-2023).
In view of recent successes including the now operational UistWind project and now, ownership of the former Lochmaddy School, the development plan needs to be updated, to ensure it meets the needs of the community of North Uist.
North Uist Development Company is keen to welcome fresh faces on to its board of directors to help shape its future vision as the organisation and the island enters an exciting new phase.
Andrew Ross, director of North Uist Development Company, explained: “We are especially keen to hear from younger people in the community who would like to make a difference as, after all, they will be the future of North Uist!
“Are you passionate about North Uist? Do you get excited about what we can all achieve when we work together? Would you like to help shape the future of North Uist for the benefit of the community? If so, we look forward to hearing from you.”
North Uist Development Company will also be starting some community engagement associated with the environment centre exhibition shortly, and the team are working tirelessly to move this forward as soon as possible.
North Uist Development Company has acknowledged the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise through its Community-Led Tourism Infrastructure Fund and Delivery Resource Officer fund, the Scottish Land Fund and the Islands Green Recovery Programme.
More details can be found at www.isleofnorthuist.com.
