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The Heart of Coll's Community
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An Cridhe > An Cridhe > The Design Process
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Shared space including
library, service information and interpretation points
to enhance social cohesion |
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Performance, music and
exhibition spaces to enhance cultural appreciation and
learning |
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Meeting space to enhance
social inclusion and cohesion for the numerous community
groups |
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IT capabilities to enhance
life-long learning |
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Sports facilities to
enhance healthy lifestyles |
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Office space/kitchen to
enhance business opportunities |
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Disabled access throughout
to enhance inclusion |
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Use of renewable energy
technology to increase economic and environmental
sustainability |
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Recycling facilities for
the building and space for educational materials on
recycling and renewable energies |
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of these provisions will improve the long term
sustainability of the island of Coll by increasing
confidence in the viability of life on Coll and by
increasing Coll’s sustainable economic growth. The
island will have better access to a higher standard of
amenities and services and the ability of the island to
be more enterprising and self reliant will have
increased. |
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The centre will incorporate the requirements of the
individuals and organisations in the community and will meet their needs
on a long-term basis. Integral to the financial sustainability of the
project once grant funding has ceased, is the plan to build
community-run bunkhouse accommodation to provide revenue for An Cridhe.
The community centre will serve as a social and cultural lynchpin and
both buildings will provide business opportunities for a range of island
residents. As such, all islanders will benefit directly or indirectly
socially and/or economically.
In line with sustainable development principles, maximising the
use of renewable energy and demonstrating best practice in building in a
remote area are key priorities for our project. We are working with
energy advisors and have employed specialist designers to ensure
proposals are cost efficient and environmentally sustainable. The
mechanical and electrical systems in the building will be designed and
specified to ensure efficient use of resources. Renewables and energy
saving measures will be used and materials and components will be chosen
to ensure that both of our buildings will be exemplars in reducing the
development's carbon footprint in construction and use. This approach
will be backed up by the island-wide sustainability initiative regarding
energy use which is being developed and recycling initiatives already in
place. The new building will incorporate recycling also.
The directors of Development Coll are ultimately responsible for
the delivery of the project. A working group has been established
specifically dedicated to overseeing the project. The local development
officers, appointed by Development Coll are in charge of the day to day
running of the project. A design team of Architect, Quantity surveyor
and structural engineer has been appointed. The working group, in
combination with the local development officer, will deal directly with
the architect and through her, the quantity surveyor and structural
engineer. During the building phase this arrangement will hold true for
dealing with the chosen builder. |
| The project will be delivered
in three main stages: |
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The idea for the entire project has come from the
community. The resident population has been consulted
extensively throughout the pre-project planning stage as
individuals, businesses, and members of community
groups. The visiting population has been consulted via
public stalls throughout the summer, and access to
information about the project via the web. Aside from
youth membership, Development Coll has two levels of
membership: full voting (need to be on the electoral
roll) and associate (need to have an interest in Coll).
Currently, over 80% of eligible residents are members of
Development Coll and we have a further 120 associate
members. A number of public agencies have been working
as partners of Development Coll since its inception in
2006. |
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