<p>Iona Village Hall is at the very heart of life on this tiny, yet thriving island. The Hall is a vital, shared space for islanders and visitors of all ages. It is our cinema, sports stadium, debating chamber, play area and gathering place. </p><p>Although much-loved, at 90 years old the existing hall is no longer fit for purpose. <strong>Our Vision as Hall Trustees, is to create a warm, welcoming, modern community hub; a place where islanders, seasonal workers and visitors alike can feel like they belong.</strong></p><p>The hall committee has been working on the project since 2012. We’ve held several rounds of community consultation and have been working behind the scenes with a team of advisors who’ve helped us develop our business plan, architectural plans, and projected costs.</p><p> In January 2018 we learned that we have been awarded just over £900,000 by <a href="https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/">The BIG Lottery Fund</a> but we need to raise a further £1.2million by December 2018 to turn our plans for a new Hall into reality. </p><p>As we launch our fundraising campaign for the remaining funds, Chair Anja Jardine explains the importance of the project: “We cannot overstate the importance of having a fit-for-purpose village hall on the island. Iona Village Hall is the place where our children grow up; have birthday parties, perform their school plays, celebrate their sporting achievements, dance, and get married. It forms the backdrop to the collective memory of our community and many of our visitors. It is our debating chamber, our cinema, our stadium, our playground, and our gathering place. We need to be more than just a village hall – we have a vision of a hall which not only belongs TO the community of Iona, but is somewhere where people can feel THEY belong, whether they are islanders, seasonal workers or visitors.”</p>
