The determination of a village hall association on the Isle of Skye has attracted support from The Highland Council and building and maintenance firm ROK through the Highland Culture programme.

Ten years of fundraising £100,000 has paid for the construction of a new sloping roof over the existing flat roof of Broadford Village hall, and re-development of the entrance foyer including new toilets and kitchen, double gazing throughout the building and improved lighting and decoration. The end results have created a public hall that is very well used.

In order to help complete the new hall reception foyer, The Highland Council’s Ward Discretionary Fund for Eilean a’ Cheò has provided £10,000 towards floor covering in the foyer.

Local Highland Councillor Hamish Fraser said: "I am delighted that our Ward discretionary budget has been able to support Broadford Village Hall Association. They have persevered over many years raising a huge amount of funding and I am very pleased that we are able to help complete the foyer development of a hall that is at the heart of the local community."

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Also, a commercial sponsorship partnership between The Highland Council and ROK in support of the Highland Culture Programme has assisted Broadford Hall by creating additional car parking spaces. Not only are these additional spaces a welcome extension to the existing hall car park users, they are also used on a daily basis as a safe dropping off point for the local school.

Rok Area Leader Neil Duncan said: "We have been very happy to play an essential part in this vital community project. At Rok we are committed to using our skills and time in helping communities in this way, right across the Highland region. We wish the Broadford Village Hall Association the best of luck going forward."

Chairman of Broadford Village Hall Association John Gilbertson said: "The fundraising effort by the local community has been absolutely magnificent and the end result is a village hall we can now be proud of. We are very grateful indeed to ROK for their enthusiastic and professional help. As a result of their encouragement the committee is now working on proposals to submit a planning application to further improve the car park."

Broadford Village Hall is used regularly by the local school for PE and has a wide range of users and classes including: basketball, birthday parties, boys and girls football, commercial sales, Gaelic classes, junior and senior badminton, keep fit, kick boxing, meetings, parents and toddlers, sales of work, Skye & Lochalsh Orchestra, slimmers, Tai Chi, trapeze, weddings and the local youth club.

(GK/KMcA)