AS Merkinch Community Centre approaches the 25th anniversary of its opening, it faces some uncertainty as to its funding in the future, chairman Anne McCreadie said in her annual report at the Centre’s AGM on 13th November.

These changes are being brought about by the major revamp of departments at Highland Council. In the past the Centre has been funded by Social Services, but from April 2002 it is almost certain that it will be funded and managed by Community Education.
“What changes this will bring about we cannot be sure of at this stage,” said Mrs McCreadie. “Community Education is presently undergoing a review that should be completed by March 2002.
“Before any major changes take place there will be serious negotiations taking place to ensure our employees are protected and that our legal obligations are fulfilled,” she said.

Overall the Centre had been very busy over the past year, with such long established groups as the Friendship Club, Bowlers, Mother & Toddlers continuing to thrive. The Playscheme during the school holidays was now operating successfully and, apart from a setback in early summer, both junior and senior youth clubs were up and running.
“One of the newer groups, Active Adults, is going from strength to strength and the Tap Class has several new members,” she said. The Early Birds Breakfast Club had a very successful year and an After School Club was just being launched in November.
All these groups were dependent on the many volunteers who committed many hours of their free time for the benefit of local people. And though she did not like to single out any particular individual, she did highlight the efforts of their current No.1 driver Graham Adam, who did so much despite the family’s demanding home life.

The Centre continues to generate income by letting out space: the Arts Society of Inverness uses the Centre three days a week, the Inverness Christian Fellowship meet every Sunday throughout the year, and the Corbett Centre are also regular users. “Occasional lets for birthday parties, fund-raising and ceilidhs help to keep us solvent,” she added.
Mrs McCreadie also reported on the early hand-over of the management of the SIPS project to Community Education in October. “We have played an important role in getting the project off the ground, but it is quite a commitment for volunteers to manage two separate buildings, and as mp33 grows, so does its responsibilities,” she said.
She also paid tribute to the dedication of the staff, and the support of local councillor Peter Corbett, the Community Police, fellow Directors and the Management Committee. Ivor Souter, who divided his time between the Centre and mp33, reported on the ever-increasing use of the Grant Street facility. “We have been staggered by the range and volume of enquiries ,” he reported.

Each month there had been an average of 243 drop-ins, 174 telephone enquiries, 109 enquiries from other agencies, and 91 referrals from mp33.