large hall refurbishment

 Oor muckle hall refurb 

We have decided since taking over from the council that we did not like the label - lesser hall for oor we hall (we are not sizest) this is where we hold our social cinema we don't think size should be something that is seen as less than anything else, smaller is often more beautiful and serves a purpose much better than large or muckle as we say in scots, in the case o oor wee hall its size is perfect for our purposes in there, however what was previously known as our main hall that we now call the muckle hall is far too large for most things it used for, it needs a drastic refurbishment decoration upgrading and modernisation 

The muckle Hall is a vital space within our facility, serving as a multifunctional venue that hosts a variety of events, from community gatherings and social functions to educational workshops and cultural performances. However, with the passage of time, the hall has faced wear and requires both strategic usage planning and refurbishment to maximize its potential and enhance user experience. 

Planning 

A quick evaluation of the Hall has highlighted several areas that require attention: we need a Plan of Action Conduct surveys of other facilities of similar size and draw up plans to maximise room space to incorporate energy and heat management in line with our net zero targets, draw up plans on a new ceiling that could be built without wasted space,envisage what our community benefits would be then work towards planning that as a priority, make someone project manager with a clear plan of the refurbishment requirements, perhaps cost professional architect drawings that we can work toward,

Refurbishment Strategy**: - 

Develop a phased refurbishment plan that includes: - Upgrading lighting and sound systems to modern standards. - Renovating seating and flooring for improved comfort and usability. - Enhancing accessibility features to accommodate all community members. - Re designing the layout to allow for flexible configurations for various events.What should we redesign the muckle hall for? what sort of upgrade do we give it would depend upon the direction we see this large hall being purposed for? A conferencing room we often get conference style meetings taking place, we host public meetings and public consultations often, the council use this hall during the election times for voting booths, Conference style seating and tables require a different setup from the multi use gym areas we host, and also dance classes and dancing events, from the weekly tea dance and the line dancing to ceilidhs and disco dancing, the hall is set up school disco style for these with the seats around the hall, we have lots of martial arts groups who put out there cushioned mats, we dont want to lose any of these groups

 The future of our areas social venues including our hub, is in a period of flux as regards all of falkirk districts community assets,where does our hub fit in? We have a lot of rooms for community education, we believe that should be our main objectives, the muckle hall is a bonus add on to our core business strategy,What sort of venue do we envisage for that hall?  we do not want to provide a service that would take away core businesses from other local assets, the Grange for example is very much going towards the multi-use gym area usage of their halls and facilities (very sport orientated) Polmont has another gym Hall there's also nearby football fields with indoors playing areas, lets not all compete for that demographic in our society, we also don't want to turn our hall into some kind of theatre or music gig venue hosting regular concerts weddings or party nights, for many reasons staff maintenance security being a good neighbour, we would prefer those events to go to polmont bowling club who cater for this sort of event, that is where the bowling club see a large part of their business strategy for income going, we have the church meeting every Sunday which fills the Muckle Hall with seated attendees and a small christian band in the corner for singing hymms, it's an ideal setting for this sort of gathering we want that community to continue feeling part of our community,we hope they could help us plan thel required an upgrade, as regards lasting furniture heat and power, its our opinion we need to continue being a suitable venue for these occasions but not specialise, 

**Funding and Budgeting**: -

 Identify potential funding sources, including grants, sponsorships, and community fundraising initiatives to support refurbishment costs. - Create a detailed budget that outlines projected expenses and resource allocation for each phase of the project. 

Physical Condition**: The flooring, seating, lighting, and audio-visual equipment need upgrades to meet modern standards and to improve aesthetic appeal. We have an indepth Understanding of how the hall is currently used, we desire to keep operating so no work to be done at peak usage times, making do for now would be most beneficial for our community. Until we can plan in a complete overhaul and new ceiling 

*Implementation Timeline**

: - Establish a timeline for the completion of various phases, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing activities in the Main Hall. 

, some parts should be prioritesed or viewed as emergency repairs as in, the lighting the floor condition and curtains

 

Conclusion** 

The proposed long-term project for the Muckle Hall's usage and refurbishment is not just an investment in a physical space; it is an investment in our community's engagement and spirit. By creating a welcoming and versatile environment, we can facilitate a wider range of events that cater to all demographics, encouraging active participation and fostering a sense of belonging. We look forward to collaborating with stakeholders and community members to make this vision a reality. We need to prioritise our countless projects this refurb is less of a priority than many others, yet its good to acknowledge its potential as part of our business sustainability planning, being mindfull that somethings need done ASAP - the curtains rejuvenated and upgraded, and a massive amount of draught exclusions work done around all the doorways, the ceiling vents need a changeover, but that can be incorporated later after our, ASAP conversation to LED lights from the halogens that are currently in place, LED will benefit us financially and also cut down on our carbon footprint, the payback is instant for everyone, the curtains mean that we can then transform the main hall to another area for film projection screen usage during daytime, as the curtains don't close letting in light pollution while not preventing draghts