A £20,000 donation from SSE has enabled Strathpeffer Community Centre to unveil a new-look.
The investment, provided from the company’s Community Fund, has helped create a new reception area, office and meeting room named The Fairburn Room, which can cater for a number of community meetings as well as a host of new leisure and health activities.
The funding has also enabled the centre to employ a Learning and Development Officer to plan and organise education and training opportunities.
Clara Hickey, Centre Manager from Strathpeffer Community Centre, said: "We are delighted with the investment from SSE which made it possible to make these fantastic renovations.
"Prior to the refurbishment there was no obvious focal point at the entrance and our office was the size of a cupboard. Now we have a welcoming reception area, a new office and an impressive new meeting space which can also provide access to the web.
"I’m also pleased that our new Learning and Development Officer will be able to create lots of fabulous new activities for the centre to be used and enjoyed even more by the local community."
Avril Fraser, Community Investment Advisor at SSE, who officially opened the new Fairburn Room and reception area added: "I’m delighted to have been asked to open the new Fairburn Room today. The renovation is a perfect example of how SSE’s community funds can help local organisations undertake projects in partnership with others to improve facilities for their community. The remodelled centre will provide a valuable resource for the community for many years to come."
In addition to the internal improvements, the garden areas outside the centre have also received a face-lift with help from Strathpeffer Garden Club and SSE employees who donated their time through the company’s employee volunteering scheme.
Strathpeffer Community Centre is a registered charity and any income generated by the centre through the use of its facilities helps to keep the centre open for the community.