A demonstration was held in Fochabers yesterday to show the local council how serious the community is about taking over a century-old building.
The Fochabers Village Association want to take over the Fochabers Institute, and hoped to secure a £110,000 community asset transfer last month.
While applying for permission to take on the building, the group also put in a bid for a £150,000 grant for urgent repairs.
On Wednesday, the full council will make a decision the proposals.
If approved the funding will kick-start a £700,000 refurbishment process.
And in an attempt to show the council how serious the town is about securing the future of the hall, the team behind the scheme held a demonstration for people to show their support.
More 120 people took part and chairman of the Fochabers Village Association Ltd, Gordon Christie, spoke of his delight at the “enthusiastic” turn out.
“It’s a major investment for the community of over £700,000,” he said.
“We need the full backing of the community to make sure it around and we already see there is an expansive usage of the building with over 17,000 users currently and we hope to double that figure if that refurbishment is complete.
“I was delighted to see such an enthusiastic attendance.”
Fochabers and Lhanbryde councillor Margo Howe said the institute building would be an investment for the future.
She said: “The building is over 100-years-old, but it’s still a very good building and we want to make sure we preserve it for another 100 years because it is worth it and the village would be the poorer for not having it. We really think this could be the hub of the village again.”
Moray MP Angus Robertson was among those who attended the rally.
He said: “The Fochabers Institute is literally an institution for the village and surrounding area. It’s well supported by the community, its clubs and associations. I would appeal for its retention as there are many villages and towns that would love to
have a facility like this.”