Craigshill to get £1.2 million investment

Jun 30 2011 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

SIGNIFICANT improvements to youth, community, advice and information support facilities in Craigshill, Livingston, have been approved by West Lothian Council.

At a meeting of the Council Executive this week, councillors approved recommendations that include £1.2 million being invested to enhance facilities in the area.

Earmarked for renovating is £1m of that sum, which will fund work on the ground floor of Sheil House to provide meeting rooms, training rooms, an IT suite, new library, small café and seating area, a drop-in facility and play area, a reception and community notice board, together with office accommodation for the Citizens Advice Bureau, and a number of other voluntary and charity organisations.

Councillors have also instructed officers to progress proposals for the re-use of Almondbank following the relocation of the library.

A further £200,000 will be spent to install disabled access lifts in the Riverside Primary School Community Wing to allow access to the main hall, stage, gymnasium and canteen areas. These will be made available for community use out-with school hours and during holidays.

New décor and toilets will also be installed in the community wing.

Council Leader Peter Johnston said: “We believe the people of Craigshill deserve better facilities than they currently have and that has been our main focus in this process”.

“[The figure of] £1.2 million represents a significant investment from the council and we believe it will provide great facilities for young people in Craigshill and the community at large.

“The Craigsfarm Management Committee and Council Officers have been working together over the past few months to develop a vision for the facility and develop a business plan which would look into the option of the new facility being transferred into community ownership.

“This is an exciting development for the people of Craigshill and the proposals which were approved today and will hopefully go a long way to securing Craigsfarm’s long-term future.”