Hall takeover could revitalise Kirkcowan

A village hall takeover and development project could “revitalise” a small rural community, a councillor declared last week. Members of The Kirkcowan Hall SCIO were last week granted permission to take ownership of the community hall in Kirkcowan, also known as St Couan’s Hall, through a community asset transfer (CAT) deal. They were praised for the work they have done to build a solid business plan and formulate grand plans for the hall’s development in future years. Speaking at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Mid Galloway and Wigtown West Councillor Richard Marsh said: “It’s been a long time coming. Kirkcowan Village Hall was taken under the kind of guise of a volunteer management committee in 2017. “Credit must be given to the current board for really driving this application forward. “You can understand the kind of trepidation of a volunteer organisation taking on such a feat because I’m quite sure that the rebuilder refit will be into the millions of pounds.” Council officers estimated that the social value generated by this community asset transfer will be nearly five times as much as the building’s current worth. Councillor Marsh said: “I don’t think I’ve seen a social value as high for some time – almost five to one. “The social value and the importance of this being taken on by the group is huge. I truly feel that this can be the catalyst to the regeneration and revitalisation of a small rural village. “It hits many of the priorities and policies of our council to try and guard against rural depopulation. “I think the group taking this facility on will absolutely regenerate it into the hub of the community once again. I very look forward to that coming to fruition.” Mid Galloway and Wigtown West Councillor Katie Hagmann thanked the community members behind this regeneration project, and added: “This has been 10 years in the making, and the tenacity and the resilience of the local community has to be noted. “In the past, with some community asset transfers there have been concerns around public toilets but that is recognised within this business plan. “New spaces and the toilets are there both within the building and public toilet accessibility from outside.” The building is currently in a poor condition, but The Kirkcowan Hall members aim to create a “first-class community facility” that serves both residents and visitors. Having now secured ownership for a nominal fee of £1, the group’s plans to develop the facility and ensure that the building is properly maintained and preserved for future generations. They also intend on working collaboratively with the community to identify needs and deliver classes, events, and activities that benefit the community.