METHIL COMMUNITY CENTRE WINS HUB HELPING HANDS REFURBISHMENT

Memorial Park Community Centre in Methil, Fife, is celebrating after being selected to receive a free refurbishment in hub East Central Scotland’s Helping Hands community initiative.

Under the programme, hub East Central Scotland contractor BAM Construction will provide a range of skills labour and materials to revitalise the community centre building, helping to create a facility more suitable to the groups that use it regularly.

The team will refurbish kitchen facilities, lay new tiles on the main hall floor and upgrade toilet facilities and the main entrance to the building. The programme of work will be completed in a week.

The Memorial Park Centre was chosen as the winner from a shortlist of three entries put forward by Fife Council that included Lochgelly Town Hall and Castlehill Community Centre in Cupar. The two runners up will each receive £250 to use on improvements to their facilities. Selections were made by a panel from Fife Council and hub East Central Scotland.

Amanda Wright, Community Benefits and Social Value Manager at hub East Central Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to have made the award this year to a Fife community and look forward to working with our contractors and the team at the Memorial Park Community Centre to deliver the refurbishments that will revitalise the facility to the benefit their community. Adding value to the communities that we serve is at the heart of everything that we do.”

Robert Graham, Community Development Manager for Levenmouth area at Fife Council added: “This a generous offer from hub east Central Scotland and BAM Construction and will result in a significant transformation for the community centre.”

Amy Mathewson, Chair of the Memorial Park Centre management committee, said: “The last major works to the centre were undertaken in the 1970’s, so we are most grateful to have been successful in our bid. Having this refurbishment done and to such a high standard will be a major boost for the community. We look forward to work starting as soon as the pandemic restrictions allow.”

For BAM Construction, Martin Cooper, Construction Director, said: “It matters a great deal not just what we build but how we build, and using our time to contribute back to communities is important to our people who take great pride in helping the communities around us. We’ll bring a team of professionals and volunteers along with our incredible supply chain companies and help our friends in Fife to have a facility that will improve the lives and chances of people in Methil.”

BAM’s recent work in Fife has included Levenmouth Academy, Waid Academy, Windmill Community Campus and Dunfermline Museum and Art Gallery, among many other buildings. It is currently at work on the new Madras College too, meaning it has supported the education of thousands of young people in the area.

Hub East Central Scotland delivers significant local economic benefits across its region, creating employment opportunities, developing skills and supporting local businesses.

Every construction project seeks to engage and support the local communities.