Muthill’s former recreation hall was sold last month.
And it has been decided that the proceeds will go towards a new or improved community hall.
Historically the building off Willoughby Street was given to the village as a recreation hall for returned servicemen after the First World War and ownership was vested in five trustees – the Parish Church minister, the United Free Church minister, the doctor, the head teacher and the secretary of the Parish Council and their successors.
Over the years the hall stopped being used and fell into disrepair and it was decided to sell “for the benefit of the village of Muthill” as specified in the original title deed.
The sale generated £125,251.
At a public meeting held to discuss the funds, Rev Klaus Buwert of Muthill Parish Church explained that it was the responsibility of the current trustees - himself, Muthill Primary School head teacher Rachel Bell and Mairi MacDonald, secretary of Muthill and Tullibardine Community Council – to decide what should happen with the funds.
Dr Buwert described the sum as “a game-changing amount” of money with the potential to transform the village for many years to come.
Muthill’s extensive community action plans of 2011-16 and 2018 both highlighted that a new hall or some form of social hub was a priority for the village and after discussion at the meeting it was agreed that a new or upgraded hall was an appropriate way to spend the proceeds.
It has yet to be decided whether this will take the form of upgrading the existing village hall, building a new hall – potentially on the proposed Drummond development at the back of the existing hall – or even accommodating a hall at Muthill Parish Church.
Trustee Ms MacDonald said: “All options will be considered. The trustees concluded that a feasibility study will be required, however.
“A study would provide answers to the question of location, and crucially, via a consultation with the entire village, ensure that all ages would be considered in the final decision.
“Rather than provide a short-term boost to various groups, it is the wish of the trustees that the proceeds from the sale of the Recreation Hall should provide a long-standing legacy that will benefit the village for generations to come.”
Ms MacDonald explained that the first step of a feasibility study would also help research the state of the existing halls - the village hall and the church hall - the organisations that use them, the costs and benefits of a new hall, and, if that was the best option, where a new hall could be sited and how much it would cost.
Feasibility studies are required to access larger awards from grant giving bodies, such as the National Lottery, which would be needed to complete such a substantial project.
Ms MacDonald added: “Given that £125,000 would not be enough to fund a hall outright, it makes sense to use the money to this end.”
The money is being ring-fenced solely for a new or upgraded hall and the trustees will now step down and hand over the fund to Muthill Village Trust to take the project forward.
