Proposals laid out for Kirk
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Slains Environmental Action For Change held an open day recently to discuss their proposals for the former Slains Kirk building.
The group - more commonly known as SEAchange and formerly knowns as Friends Of Slains - have been working to establish the best way to utilise the facility to benefit the community while not detracting from the facilities already available.
A group was first set up to consider the Kirk's future in 2015 after it was revealed that the expected cost of essential repairs for the building would total more than £50,000, with the cost of getting the building 'up to standard' thought to be around £120,000.
At this point the decision was taken to cease using the building until repairs could be carried out, and various options for the Kirk's future were discussed until in 2017 the congregation were invited to vote for what they would like to see happen - 120 of the 185 people who voted in favour of not retaining the building.
Following this decision a new group was formed - now SEAchange - and a more recent vote was carried out for the local community more recently where there was a great turnout and three quarters of people opted for acquiring the building to be used as a community facility.
At the open day visitors were able to find out about the buildings journey so far as well as the group's proposals for its future, and in addition a drop in session the SEAchange committee held two presentations to share information.
One part of their vision is to create a cafe with drop-in activities to help foster friendships and reduce isolation within the community, as this is something they their research has show there is a desire for.
They also hope that the building can be utilised to help establish a carbon neutral community by installing solar panels, insulation and holding waste reduction workshops to help residents increase their environmental protection knowledge including how to reduce plastic use and how to reduce your carbon footprint.
It is also proposed that the building can be used to encourage people to get in touch with their heritage through various events, music and art.
Anybody interested in finding out more about the SEAchange project or getting involved can visit: seachange41.wordpress.com or e-mail: seachange41@btinternet.com.
