Work on long-awaited Cowling Village Hall almost complete (From Craven Herald)

Work on long-awaited Cowling Village Hall almost complete

9:00am Monday 1st October 2012 in News

Work on the new Cowling Village Hall is nearing completion - and it should be open by the end of October.

The building was constructed by Skipton Properties in 2007, but interior work was never completed and the property has stood empty ever since.

In September 2010, ownership of the new village hall was transferred to Cowling Parish Council, which acted as trustee, but since then it has turned the property over to the Cowling Village Hall Management Committee.

The management committee put the improvements project out to tender, but the estimated cost of £340,000 forced a rethink.

Instead committee co-chairmen David Rowe and Glen Salt decided to manage the project in house and are on target to meet a budget of £160,000 to complete the hall, using funds raised from the sale of the old village hall and other sources, including a £9,500 grant from the National Lottery.

Work on the hall’s interior started on July 30, with a local ground worker correcting floor levels and making slight alterations to existing walls to accommodate the committee’s desired layout.

In late August, a concrete slab was poured, followed by the installation of under-floor heating. Plumbing, electrical work, wall partitioning and furnishing the hall with appropriate fittings are the final steps to get the building up and running.

“This is a fantastic facility that will open itself to a variety of uses,” said Mr Rowe. “The main thing is that we have a number of user groups in the village that have shown interest in using the new hall.”

Among those are Cowling Moonrakers, Cowling Companions and a local playgroup.

Mr Rowe also said the building could be used for short mat bowls, badminton and table tennis.

“It also benefits from a soft surface outdoor play area that will be a safe environment for toddlers and having a professional catering kitchen will be of great use to the community,” he said.

The committee is continuing to raise money for its development fund and recently received a donation from Cowling Gala Committee.

And it is hoped a concert by Steeton Male Voice Choir will add to the coffers. It will take place at the village’s Holy Trinity Church next Saturday, October 6, and tickets are available by emailing events@cowlingvillagehall.co.uk or ringing 01535 637435.

Cowling Parish Council has also provided funding of just over £20,000.