Champagne corks are popping in New Galloway after the community took control of the town hall.
The welcome news guarantees the popular venue’s future and means a £300,000 refurbishment can go ahead.
Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) secured the landmark building through the community asset transfer (CAT) scheme.
The go-ahead group will now be responsible for its upkeep for decades to come.
LING thanked the council for its continued support over several years to make the transfer a reality.
Chairperson Mary Smith said: “This is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work and dedication from volunteers and supporters over many years.
“Without this, we would have seen this unique, historic building closed.
“Instead we are working towards it reaching its full potential as a functioning, efficient, accessible and welcoming community space for everyone to enjoy.”
She added: “The Glenkens has a fantastic community and there are so many great initiatives taking place.
“LING is delighted to be part of that.
“As all community organisations know, it’s not easy – you meet challenges and you definitely learn as you go.
“But when the effort and will is there to support each other and make a positive difference, that is what motivates involvement at every level.”
The transfer process had a last minute hitch when dry rot was found but the council agreed to carry out repairs.
Work is being co-ordinated so LING can keep the hall open for activities at the same time.
Renovation and refurbishment of the hall inside and out will take place between now and Christmas.
Improvements include a fully accessible lift, disabled toilets upstairs and downstairs, installing an air-source heat pump and improving insulation.
Options for solar power are being explored while additional storage space and a small meeting room will be created.
Ling project officer Ronnie Bradford said: “LING can now get ahead with sympathetically and comprehensively restoring the building, making it into a valued community hub for the 21st Century and beyond.”
Local councillor Dougie Campbell has lent his support to the community transfer from the start.
He said: “I’m delighted that the town hall has now been passed from the council to the LING group.
“I am grateful for the patience of their membership during what transpired to be a prolonged process due to the Covid pandemic.
“Over the last few years I’ve had the pleasure to see first-hand the excellent activities and services provided in the town hall for the New Galloway community.
“Knowing the people involved, I fully expect LING to go from strength to strength and continue to provide the community with an asset of which they can be very proud.”
LING thanked all funders for their “invaluable” support.
They include the Glenkens and District Trust, Galloway Glens, the Winifred Ann Kennedy Trust, the Robertson Trust, the Hugh Fraser Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund, the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), the Pilgrim Trust, the Galloway Association of Glasgow, the UK Community Ownership Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
The local community was also praised for its contribution which included a £5,000 crowdfunding appeal as well as numerous individual fund-raising enterprises and donations.
New Galloway Town Hall is being held in trust for the benefit of everyone resident in New Galloway and Kells and across the wider Glenkens.
