May 18, 2016
Secure future for Ecology Centre
The community of Kinghorn in Fife was an early adopter of the right to buy legislation. KCLA took a long term view and submitted multiple registrations for different parcels of land on the basis that all could be potentially strategically important to the community in the future. Many groups have benefited from their foresight – not least the long standing community enterprise, The Ecology Centre. After a long and at times difficult journey, a new Centre has been built on land that they now own. Their future is finally secure.
See Local People Leading policy paper on Land
The Ecology Centre is an established (1998) social enterprise nestled on the eastern shore of Kinghorn Loch in Fife. We actively use nature and the environment as a tool to improve quality of life. We enable young people to experience and learn about the natural world, provide fulfilling volunteering opportunities for all ages and abilities and offer unemployed adults training opportunities.
The organisation was established operating from rented space in old farm buildings which gave no long term security. For over 10 years we have been trying to secure a permanent site for The Ecology Centre. In 2014 we eventually managed to buy 5 acres of land adjacent to the farm site, on behalf of the community. In 2015 we were awarded a Big Lottery grant to build our own Centre that would be our new home. Today we boast a well-equipped Men Shed, flexible event spaces, a catering standard kitchen, offices and volunteering facilities overlooking Kinghorn Loch. Our new building complex consists of upcycled shipping containers and a purpose built passive haus designed building that is ultra-low energy, requiring little heating.
We are pleased to announce that we have now opened our doors to social enterprises and businesses across Scotland who may wish to use our unique venue to host their events. “The Nest” is the perfect venue to stage workshops, training days, conferences or parties. It is a flexible space with fantastic views across Kinghorn Loch.
To find out more please contact us on: 01592 891567 or email: admin@theecologycentre.org