Auchterarder's popular Aytoun Hall will be closed for lets from today ahead of work on a £1.4m refurbishment scheduled to begin this Autumn.

The hall will close to allow Perth & Kinross Council to begin preparatory work in advance of the main refurbishment.

The extensive refurbishment programme will see the future of the Hall as a community facility secured in the long-term for the people of the Lang Toon.

The Hall is extremely well-used by the local community, and the Council has been working with groups for several months in order to find them alternative premises while it is closed for lets.

The Hall also has the town's Library attached to it and is the location for the local housing office and registrars' service.

The Housing and Registrars' Services provided from the Hall will carry on as usual up until work begins in earnest in the autumn. Anyone using the services will be able to use the Girnal House entrance as usual. Alternative arrangements are being be made to relocate both services to another venue in Auchterarder when work on the refurbishment begins. Residents will be advised of these changes in due course.

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The Library will be open as usual throughout the refurbishment.

Plans for the refurbishment have been drawn-up following extensive consultation with residents by Perth & Kinross Council and Auchterarder Leisure and Recreation Association (ALRA).

The Council's Strategic Policy & Resources Committee approved the refurbishment project in April 2008, with the Council providing around £900,000 in addition to £500,000 pledged in 2005 by the then First Minister as a gesture of gratitude to the people of the Auchterarder following the G8 Summit.

The key elements of the project include the configuration of ground floor spaces creating a new open entrance/gallery area, relocated PKC office and meeting rooms, galley and commercial kitchens, and the creation of new toilets and storage areas.

Council Leader, Councillor Ian Miller, said: "We have worked very closely with ALRA to examine the best way forward, and I am delighted that we've been able to make this commitment to the people of Auchterarder. I am very much looking forward to seeing the completed works, which will bring the facilities up to a very high and modern standard."

Aytoun Hall is scheduled to reopen 1n October 2010.

(GK/BMcc)