We are looking for support to carry out a full energy efficiency feasibility study on our centre, which we took into community ownership in 2024. The building is from the 1970s and in need of significant updates to make it more comfortable to use and efficient to run. We then plan to use the study and recommendations to apply for external funding to begin upgrading and futureproofing the building, reducing its carbon footprint and increasing its sustainability.
Description
We are the management committee of Dooncraig Community Centre, which we've owned outright since last February, when we successfully completed the Community Asset Transfer process. We've been managing the centre since 2001, when the Council cut back staffing in centres, and we stepped up to ensure our community didn't lose the resource. We're a busy centre, with over 20 different groups regularly using our lettable spaces each week, in addition to other events we host at the centre.
We knew that getting a handle on the centre's running costs was going to be a significant priority for us, not least because its in a state of some disrepair in places and in urgent need of upgrading to a higher and more energy efficient standard. We missed out on Scottish Government energy efficiency advice due to the timing of the transfer of ownership, and now that this funding has closed, we're hopeful that the Climate Fund could help us to undertake this much needed work.
Our main areas of focus would be:
Insulation - we know this will not be up to modern standards, and in the winter our back room is particularly cold
Boiler - this was an ongoing issue while the Council were still responsible for it, and we are keen to get it upgraded to something more fit for purpose, and more energy and cost efficient. This would also allow us to make some adjustments to rent costs in the winter as we're paying a fortune to try and keep the building warm but to little effect!
Opportunities for renewable energy development to support the building - our roof was recently repaired using external funding, and we think we could benefit from solar panels. We are also interested to see if there are other potential options available to us due to the ground available at the back of the centre, e.g. ground source heat pumps or a small turbine, which could help us to bring costs and emissions down in tandem
After all the work we've put into getting the centre into community ownership, the last thing we want is to see it lost due to the challenge of keeping it wind and watertight in the Scottish weather. A thorough feasibility study - we have identified a consultant who would be well-placed to do this on our behalf - would give us a path forward to improve our current situation, as well as providing an invaluable reosurce to include in funding bids and fundraising campaigs to realise our vision of a sustainable centre for the future.
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