What we do .....

• Develop and manage the Centre and community groups.
• Encourage and enable local people to participate in voluntary work and community effort.
• Provide practical information on services.
• Work with other Community and Statutory Organisations on common issues and concerns.
  
• Provide opportunities for individuals to develop and become involved in their community.  
  
•  Rent space to a variety of Organisations

Our staff - Rose, Ian, Janet and Elsie offer a friendly and welcoming service to all our customers.  No request is dismissed as impossible – we provide a flexible service and seek to provide a quality service tailored to your requirements.

The Centre is managed by a Voluntary Board of Directors, whose role is to assess and address the needs of the Centre users, assist in the development of community groups, and to encourage and enable   local people to participate in voluntary work and community effort. A User-led Management Committee meets on a monthly basis to update on each of their activities and play an active role in decision-making about future planning and programming of events.

  History of  Merkinch Community Centre

The South Kessock area of Inverness (or Merkinch – island of the horse) is a Scottish Executive nominated Community Regeneration Area.  It has an interesting history, with strong links deriving from its connection to the river, canal and the sea. Although part of Inverness (one of Britain’s newest cities), Merkinch has always had a very separate identity and different challenges. It has a population of around 5000, many of whom are fairly transient due to its use by the local authority for emergency housing.  

Some photos of Merkinch

The Merkinch Community Centre was established as a multi-purpose venue to provide a focus for the community and to offer a range of services and facilities including sports and social activities. This was largely due to the local people having their ‘voice heard’ – in particular the key player was Mabel Skinner.
The Centre was commissioned in 1973 by the Inverness Town Council, and financed through the Scottish Office Urban Renewal Fund. The building was completed in 1977, and the management was originally placed with the Council’s Social work department until 1985 when the building was transferred to community management via a 21 year leasing arrangement.
An upgrade of the Centre was commissioned in 2006 where the existing sports hall was developed into a multi purpose concert hall. The area provides a flexible space for a variety of functions – whether sports or performance.