A Children’s Centre for Barra & Vatersay

Barra Pre-School Ltd was first established in 1997 with the aim to build and run a purpose built Children’s Centre for the children of Barra & Vatersay. 

In June 1999, the group registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee and were granted charitable status. 

The main objectives are : 

-   To advance the education of the children by providing them with facilities for educational and recreational play such as pre-school / playgroups, breakfast and After School care, Weekend and Holiday Activities etc.

-   To provide a comfortable environment for children with Special Needs – Soft Play, Creche facilities etc.

-  To provide a safe and secure environment for all the children.

-    To provide and promote a learning environment which recognises the Gaelic culture and the use of the Gaelic language. 

The main focus behind this project results from the extremely poor facilities currently provided on the island for pre-school education, special needs and all-round recreational activities being provided for the children and youth of the island. 

A purpose-built Children’s Centre would address these problems and provide the Community of Barra & Vatersay with a much needed facility. 

Once the Committee had identified the needs of the Children, the next stage was to identify suitable land for the building.  A feasibility study was completed in 1998 and an area was identified opposite Castlebay Community School.  A report was put forward to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and they agreed to lease the site to Barra Pre-School in 1999/2000. 

The Architect, Quantity Surveyor and Engineer were then appointed to draw up plans and projected budget costings. 

A Business Plan was drawn up with additional letters of support from representatives in the Community, user groups, local M.P’s and Members.   

FUNDING

Although the majority of funding was secured from the larger funding organisations, it has to be noted that the local communities in Barra & Vatersay contributed greatly to the local fund-raising efforts and their support was very much appreciated.  The never ending bingos, discos and dances, fun-days, raffles.……… 

Funding was secured in 2000 from Cnes, and the remainder awarded this year (2001).   

Community Fund                         -                    £200,000

Western Isles Enterprise           -                    £  50,000

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar           -                    £  40,000

Children in Need                       -                     £  30,000

Childcare Partnership                -                     £  30,000

Own Contribution                     -                      £  26,000

Castlebay Community Council     -                      ‘in kind’ contribution   

The overall project cost is estimated at £370,000.   

‘IN  KIND  CONTRIBUTION  -  THE  STORY  OF  THE  ROCK’ 

The ‘in kind’ contribution was the donation of rock which was situated in Port ‘na hardadh in Castlebay.  The rock had originally been placed there as a potential development for a car-park to ease the congestion on the main street.  However, after a couple of years there was no further development which left the area looking untidy and uncomplimentary of the surroundings.  

Barra Pre-School sent a written request to Castlebay Community Council, asking if they could use the rock for the foundation work of the building.   This would save costs on the construction of the building, and at the same time restore the bay to its natural state.  The Community Council supported this.

Initially, the Planning Dept refused to grant planning permission on the grounds that the rock was intended for a much needed car-park – a priority in the Barra & Vatersay Local Plan.   However, after discussions the Planning Committee granted the approval for it to be removed.  See pictures below and judge for yourself what the right decision would have been! 

 There are proposals to improve this area even further through other sources.

   COMMITTEE

The Committee has changed very little over the last 4 years.  Initially, the group consisted of 12 parents – very few who had any experience of initiating any kind of project work.  However, their commitment, determination and support has been the main drive in the success of this project.