Plans to extend and upgrade the Bettridge Centre in Newtonhill were unveiled tonight.
The most exciting aspect was the proposal to extend the garage area under the centre to turn it into a community gym with a dance/yoga studio, with views out to sea. The gym would be open when the centre is open.
Investigations are to take place to establish how feasible the project is. Structural checks are required as this area is beneath the main hall.
What has been ruled out is opening a community cafe. A similar public hall venture in Laurencekirk closed due to a lack of trade. Furthermore the Bettridge team do not want to tread on toes of current such ventures such as those in the Jubilee Hall in Portlethen and in Newtonhill Church.
The upgrade would also include knocking through a corridor from the original community hall to the newer part of the Bettridge Centre.
The plans also include surfacing the lower car park – a request is with the AWPR with a decision due early next month.
Consideration will be given to renewable energy options, and storage improvements.
The upgrades would be funded by grants from LEADER (an EU fund administered locally by Aberdeenshire Council), developer obligations, and other sources. It is hoped that funding will be heading the Bettridge’s way from the Tesco community funding (please use your token wisely!).
The 27 people at the meeting heard that the overall aim is to bring in extra revenue, increase footfall, and make the centre an even better asset for the community.
There was an appeal for volunteers to come forward to help drive the plans forward. Please spread the word.
The organisation’s annual general meeting followed the presentation, and we heard that last year the centre had an income of £104,000 and expenditure of £112,000.