Milestone marked for iconic Strathpeffer Pavilion as community trust sets stage for a new chapter despite coronavirus crisis challenges
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THE opening of a new chapter in the life of an iconic Ross-shire venue was marked in style last night.
The Scottish Historic Building Trust (SHBT) had previously agreed to sell Strathpeffer Pavilion to a local community trust with a substantial funding package approved by the Scottish Land Fund.
Back in May, Strathpeffer Pavilion Community Trust (SPCT) completed the purchase from the SHBT.
The pavilion was lit red last night as part of a nationwide campaign to draw attention to the impact of the coronavirus crisis on live entertainment and the financial burden that places on many venues.
SPCT chairman Fraser Mackenzie said: "It has undoubtedly been a tough year for everyone and after everything being thrown into chaos by the Covid pandemic and the uncertainty in people's lives these last few months, the Trust felt it was not the time for celebration. They agreed that it was best to hold off making an announcement until later in the year and to wait until the adjoining land and property was also secured from the Highland Council. The transfer of the Victorian gardens, tennis court and Pump House was completed on September 15, once again bringing the Pavilion, Victorian gardens and Pump House, under single ownership thus preserving the future of these local assets in the hands of the Strathpeffer community.
“The purchase of the building and the Strathpeffer Spa Estate has been an incredibly long journey, and certainly not without its challenges along the way. From the outset of the project back in March 2016 there has always been a massive amount of encouragement and support from the local community and indeed the wider Highland community. So much so that in fact that the Pavilion has since gone on to become one of the largest community supported projects in the Highlands. I truly believe the community support for the Trust has largely contributed to our drive and ambition through some challenging times in bringing the Pavilion back home to the Strathpeffer community and securing its future in our community’s hands."
The building has been under commuinty management once before when it was subleased from the Highland Council to the Strathpeffer Pavilion Association which operated it successfully for many years. It however fell on hard financial times back in 2016 and the building subsequently put on the market.
At a public meeting, Strathpeffer Pavilion Community Steering Group was set up and carried out an extensive community consultation investigating the potential models for the operation of the Victorian building, which has also being pressed into service as a navy hospital in its long, colourful history.
The group concluded that its future would best be secured in community ownership and using partnership arrangements to appoint a third party to manage the Pavilion building on their behalf.
Subsequently, SPCT was created to take ownership on behalf of the community and it entered into a management arrangement with the current operators, High Life Highland (HLH), to continue to operate the building on their behalf.
Mr Mackenzie said: “It’s a perfect combination of two Highland charities working in partnership for the betterment of the local communities they each serve. This arrangement will see HLH take on the day-to-day running of the building, using their wealth of expertise and knowledge both front and back of house to build on the Pavilion’s existing success. This innovative arrangement is unique and will allow the SPCT to effectively put the Pavilion, its Pump Room and Victorian Gardens, situated in the heart of our community and village, safely and securely under community ownership. "The SPCT will manage the Pavilion and the Spa Estate while also identifying funding opportunities to maintain, develop and enhance the building in the centre of our community for the benefit of our community. We really want to see that area of the village vibrant and strong. I am sure that with the enthusiasm and hard work of the Trust board and the expertise of HLH – we have the perfect recipe for success”.
He paid tribute to everyone "who has helped us achieve this significant goal and milestone" but added: "Now the hard, but exciting, work really begins. We will shortly announce the date for our AGM and would encourage everyone to participate as we will be looking for new Board members with specific skills which will be listed along with the calling notice for the AGM and posted on our website and advertised locally."
He thanked The Scottish Land Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for their financial support in completing the initial investigative work and in the subsequent purchase of the Pavilion.
He said: “The support of the Strathpeffer community has been pivotal in our drive to secure the Pavilion, the Pump House and surrounding land. Despite the challenges at the point of taking ownership, the board and I are extremely excited about this opportunity and look forward to a long and prosperous future working on behalf of and indeed with the community to ensure the Strathpeffer Pavilion, Pump Room and Victorian Gardens regains its position as an iconic Highland landmark, while at the same time once again becoming the focal point for the village and its residents to enjoy as we return to some form of normality”.
Local councillor Ian Cockburn said: "This is great news for Strathpeffer and for the area as a whole to have the future of this iconic building in the hands of the community. Congratulations for all the hard work the Strathpeffer Community Trust has carried out over the last few years to raise the money to take over the Pavillion and its surrounding area.It shows what can be done when a community is empowered and supported to enable it to achieve such an outstanding success. All the best wishes for the future."
Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: The Spa Pavilion is a source of great pride to Strathpeffer and is a key economic asset for the local community as a visitor attraction and providing employment. Ownership will give the community greater control over these important assets and will help ensure its long-term future.The Scottish Land Fund is pleased to have supported this acquisition and we wish them well in their future endeavours."
Steve Walsh of High Life Highland said: "“High Life Highland is absolutely delighted to be working with SPCT and continuing to build on the relationships we have been forming while the Trust raised the funds to purchase the building. While I completely understood the Board’s decision to defer the announcement earlier in the year, I shared their disappointment that they weren’t able to share the news due to timing. However, I am now equally pleased that they can now have their day, and celebrate this wonderful building coming into community ownership and under the Trust’s ownership.
“HLH has managed and operated the site on a temporary 'caretaker' role for the last three and a half years, and we have a great team that has been working hard to develop the location to ensure that whatever happened, HLH left it in a much stronger position that we found it. However, we were delighted when the SPCT board of directors contacted us to ask if HLH would manage and operate the building on behalf of the Trust, should the Trust took ownership – and obviously said yes."
Mr Walsh added: “So much work had gone into developing the location; so it was clearly disappointing that the pandemic lockdown hit just as the transfer was about to take place. We have discussed reopening the building with the Trust and explained that at this stage, locations such as the pavilion are not featuring in the Scottish Government’s route-map out of Covid-19. In reality, it would seem unlikely that we will be holding any major events if any, this side of New Year – but regardless, we will continue to prepare to safely reopen the location to the public when we can and in line with guidelines.”
Related: Strathpeffer Pavilion returns to community ownership
