Design For Hub Building Announced

30th January, 2007: The community organisation planning to build a world class garden in Cupar today (Tuesday) unveiled their design for a multi-million pound community building within the town's Duffus Park. The £2.989 million "hub" centre has been designed for the Douglas Bader Community Garden group by idpartnership, one of the UK 's leading architecture and design practices.

Idpartnership, who are Glasgow-based, have widespread experience of a range of prominent and diverse projects throughout the UK and abroad. The building has been designed to be completely multi-functional, and hosts a conference facility, community rooms and offices, a large atrium, plus a café and WCs.

Part of the building would be utilised by Cupar Cricket Club, and it is intended that Fife Society for the Blind and VONEF Ltd, the North-East Fife 's voluntary umbrella organisation, would also have a full-time presence. Facilities are also included for the Douglas Bader Community Garden group to run North American-style therapeutic and volunteer gardening courses in partnership with Elmwood College .

The large central atrium area is capable of hosting concerts and community events, and a permanent space has also been included to hold regular exhibitions.

Designed as a split-level two storey building, the community centre would be low-lying to avoid visual impact and have internal ramps for wheelchair users.

Douglas Bader Community Garden project manager Andrew Gold described the building as "potentially great news for the people of Cupar."

Mr Gold said: "There is a dearth of accessible community facilities in the town and this building would fill a huge need within North-East Fife."Obviously we have to successfully bid for public funding for this to become a reality, but we now want to display to people just what is achievable. This is a world class design for a world class facility, and is just what we need to impress funders regarding the feasibility and sustainability of the group's objectives."

Many large organisations and public bodies have already backed the group's aims, including Fife Council, Elmwood College , the RAF, Kingdom Housing, and Fife Constabulary.

Members of the public are being invited along to the group's AGM on Thursday, February 8 th to study the plans in further detail or to obtain general information about the organisation. The AGM is being held at Cupar's County Buildings at 7 pm .

Further information can be obtained by telephoning 01334 652700 or via www.dbcg.org.uk

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