Ullaspool continues  “Raising the Roof”!  Work is continuing to upgrade the roof of Ullapool’s Community Swimming Pool. Contractor, Ullapool Construction Ltd, has been busy since 1st March and the new roof is now in place with the brackets on, ready for the installation of the solar panels. 

The solar panels were due to be installed by Invisible Heating Systems in May 2010 when problems with the roof structure were first identified and the pool was subsequently forced to close. 

Since the  work started on the roof other problems have arisen which required to be addressed:

• The facility has had to be rewired to conform with H&S : local contractor H&I Mackenzie has been working on this
• The  “Changing Tents” did not survive the upheaval, a new “Changing Village” will take their place.

From the previous original project we had secured funds from Community Energy Scotland and Highland LEADER for the Solar and Lighting. New, energy efficient lighting has now been installed by local contactor H&I Mackenzie -  creating a much brighter interior.

As Ullaspool impatiently heads towards the end of the project, unfortunately,  the pool plant room (the mechanical side) has suffered from being non operational for the last 18 months. Heating contractor, Highland Heating Management, is also working hard to get this up and running, however, delays are being experienced as  a new heating control system is awaited.

As part of the “Raising the Roof” funding package, Ullaspool has now recruited a Business Development Officer whose job it will be to oversee the development of Ullaspool as a successful Social Enterprise over the next 18 months. Sam Planterose started in post on 04/07/2011. He has been busy working on an updated web-site, looking into sources of funding from outside agencies and planning future local fund-raising events. More information on this will follow shortly.

None of this could have happened without our funders - including the Community Fundraising aspect which raised over £60000 towards the Raising the Roof fund. The project is also being part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme. Other major funders include Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council.

The Ullaspool Board would like to thank everyone involved in the fund-raising campaign for their encouragement and support over the past 12 months. The board look forward to welcoming you all to the pool sometime in Autumn 2011 – all being well!

THIS PROJECT IS BEING PART FINANCED BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN

                                  COMMUNITY HIGHLAND LEADER 2007-2013 PROGRAMME