Community Centre set to re-open

SPORTS enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Forres House Community Centre reopens to the public today (Wednesday).

Club meetings and activities will resume on Monday 11.

The facility was closed for two months while upgrade works on a a new heating system, including a new boiler, were carried out at a cost of £236,000.

“There were no significant complications and the work was completed within budget,” said a council spokesperson.

“The heating should be more responsive and the system has been zoned to allow better control.

“For example, the heating can be on in the library and off in the rest of the building - this will be much more efficient in terms of energy consumption.”

The works were replaced due to age - the building dates from the 1970s.

A building management system now has been installed to provide more effective automated control and will allow external monitoring of energy usage. The incoming gas supply was upgraded and a larger gas meter installed. A heat recovery ventilation system was also installed at the rear of the library as an energy efficient measure.

The rennovations are part of a longer-term project for Forres House which aims to restore its place at the centre of the community.

“I’m disappointed to hear that the opening has been delayed by a week,” said councillor, Lorna Creswell, but I look forward to a fresh promotional effort of the building and all it’s possibilities.”

She aded: “The opportunity to bring the library and community centre services together through one entrance has not been possible yet, but it’s needed as heat is lost each time someone is near the library entrance’s automatic doors.”