www.portobellocc.org.uk
No idea who is on the committee other than Jim Brown, who is vice chair.This is a time of change for Portobello Community Centre. Indeed, it is probably the time of greatest change since it stopped being 'the steamie' and became a meeting place for the residents of Portobello.
For a long time now (some 13 years to be exact) the aim has been to demolish the Centre and build in its place a new, energy-efficient, purpose-built building designed to meet the needs of Portobello by providing a 'one stop' location incorporating the library, the activity centre, meeting places, and other services such as physiotherapy and podiatry. For a time it looked as if the dream would be fulfilled, but alas lack of political will and the recent economic downturn have put an end to the dream in the meantime.
We are however currently negotiating with the Development Trust Association, Councillors and Edinburgh City Council to investigate the possibility of a transfer of the building to a Development Trust run by the local population to improve the facility and possibly to resurrect the idea of rebuilding once the economic situation improves. The dream is for a new Centre with housing above funding the cost of the new build. Any developments will be reported here.
Of more immediate interest are our plans to improve the main hall by installing professional theatre sound and lighting. We successfully applied to Awards for All (who distribute Lottery funds) for their maximum grant of £10,000 towards a total cost of £20,000 and the transformation should take place before the end of 2010. One of the drivers for this has been the success of the Portobello Youth Theatre - so successful that they were invited to perform in the 2010 Festival Fringe where they performed to packed houses and received glowing reviews. Building on that success, we intend to expand into the older age groups and will soon be starting a theatre group for teenagers to be followed shortly thereafter by a senior group. So all you budding thespians, come along and give it a try.
Meanwhile, Portobello Community Centre continues to go from strength to strength and your Committee are determined that this will continue.