A thriving community centre in Wester Ross is opening its doors this month to show off a new £1 million extension. The Torridon Community Centre was officially opened in 1996 but has recently undergone a significant extension after becoming too small for the community it serves.

An Open Day is to be held at the Centre, on Friday 12 August to allow people to come and see the new facilities and find out what is on offer, including trying out the new fitness suite equipment.

Managed by the Torridon and District Community Association, the Centre is used regularly by around 50 groups. New facilities include a health and fitness suite, exhibition space, information point, conference room and an additional multi-purpose room.

As part of the Open Day, visitors will be encouraged to try out the new fitness suite equipment, with inductions available for those who wish to become members. Before this addition, the nearest fitness suite was based 30 miles away in Gairloch, and many local people travelled more than 60 miles to Inverness.

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The project was funded with £506,499 from the Big Lottery, £82,235 from HIE and £433,692 of European funding through the Scottish Rural Development Programme.

Glyn Meredith from Torridon and District Community Association, said: "After nearly 7 years it is hard to believe that the new Community Centre is about to open its doors.

"The main contractor Kingsteps have provide us with a really beautiful building which will enhance the lives of local people and visitors to the area. We hope to encourage businesses to hold their conferences at the Centre where they will find a modern purpose built facility set in one of Britains most beautiful locations.

"The Centre's combination of light and modern rooms with spectacular views lends itself to being a wedding or special occasion venue. We hope people will come to the open day to see for themselves what we have achieved with the generous funding and the hard work and commitment of local people."

Lindsay Simpson of HIE, said: "The previous hall served the community well but with such a large number of active users it simply became too small. The new extension now provides a high quality, sustainable and vibrant centre with facilities that will serve the entire community."

(GK)