Community Hub vision draws closer following £100k sportscotland award

Through ongoing, longer-term project development, we have identified the Community Hub as the most effective next step in delivering our wider vision for the harbour. Creating the Hub, which will include a larger and more accessible space for the Beach Wheelchairs, will provide an immediate focal point for community activity and help build the financial resilience needed to support future phases of regeneration.
We are delighted that sportscotland agrees and has pledged £100k to the project. Trustee Kevin Gibson says: “This very generous award from sportscotland will help us kick-start our ambitious plans for North Berwick Harbour. The Community Hub will be a fully inclusive, collaborative space. It will open island viewpoints and provide changing rooms, drying facilities and flexible club space, to support activities such as rowing, wild water swimming, kayaking, sailing and paddleboarding.”
We are also working hard to secure the remaining amount needed to realise this project and have two large funding applications pending to this effect.
Funding applications prepared for vital repair work for South Crane Pier
With support from the North Berwick Trust and the North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership, we instructed engineering company Haskoning to carry out a detailed survey of the South Crane Pier. Their analysis shows the cracking of the wall is being caused by the historic pier head settling unevenly, due to softer ground beneath it. This is causing significant movement of the masonry and loss of stonework around the crane foundation and adjoining slipway. Work to remedy the problem is currently out to tender.
Andy Hunter, a Structures Officer at East Lothian Council, continues to work with the Harbour Trust following his crucial role in the emergency response to Storm Ciarán.
We have recently received £50k in funding from East Lothian Council’s Community Intervention Fund, and a private donation of £50k, which puts us in a good position to apply for the remaining cost of the work from Heritage Environment Scotland. This funding application is currently being put together.