Businsess Centre is bridgehead in regen process
Published 2 Nov 2011 08:00
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LOCHGELLY councillor Ian Chisholm has underlined the difference the new Ore Valley Business Centre has made to the central area of the town.
And he now hopes that the regeneration process will move on and tackle the vicinity around the former St Andrews Church building, in Bank Street.
Councillor Chisholm was delighted to attend the official opening of the new business units last week by the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil MSP.
The local councillor said, " I was here two years ago when Ore Valley Housing Association's visionary project was initiated. I am delighted to have seen this building grow from start to finish. It is a concept driven by Ore Valley Chief Executive Andrew Saunders who has to take credit for floating the idea and successfully bidding for funds from the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI) run by the Scottish Government. This building will, I hope, be the first home of future successful companies raised here in Lochgelly".
He added, "There are many firsts in this development but one which I personally applaud is the radical heating and ventilation system which transfers the solar gain from the large glassed walls to the internal offices....a first here in Scotland. I was happy to pass on to the Cabinet Secretary, Alex Neil MSP, the community's appreciation of the boost to the regeneration of Lochgelly that this investment has given.
"I know that Mr Neil, as the Minister responsible for approving the project funding, was very pleased to return to complete the job in his new role as Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, by officially opening the magnificent facility". The local SNP member went on, "The Charrette project of almost two years ago, which gave the regeneration process in Lochgelly a major boost is set fair to continue with the new Lochgelly Centre opening early in the new year.
"I hope to see radical plans for St Andrew's Church and a new day care centre come to fruition, even in these days of financial cuts in our budgets from Westminster. It's fair to say the Fife Council officers with a specific role in delivering the Charrette programme are working very hard and creatively to set up the groundwork for the private housing investment sure to come to Lochgelly once the recession pressures let up."
The new business centre, a project which received £1.7m of backing from the Scottish Government, already has seven tenants, leaving 14 still to let.
Concluded Councillor Chisholm, "I hope that we will see more units being taken up over the coming few months."
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