A north-east charity has been left counting the cost of lockdown after its £1.3 million extension plans were delayed.
Macbi Community Hub, which offers sporting facilities, a café and children’s play areas, reopened its doors to offer limited activities last week.
The Newlands Road venue, operated by charity Mintlaw and Central Buchan Initiative, had committed to a £1.3m extension just months before its enforced closure as part of the coronavirus lockdown.
Now welcoming back users, the centre is hoping to claw back an estimated £35,000 income lost during the past few months.
Centre manager Connie Strachan said: “It has been a horrible and surreal time.
“We have lost around £35,000 with paying for insurance, bills and giving back refunds for bookings.
“We have committed to the extension too we were only about £80,000 short of having the funds in place for that. Now we’re closer to £120,000 short.
“I am a bit more upbeat about things now that our doors are open, but it has been a scary time for us.
“We are a not-for-profit organisation so have to break even to keep going. We have been quite fortunate that we have been open for six years and have had a surplus every year so we could put money into the extension and keep going during lockdown.”
Building work began on the extension, which will house the town’s library and a youth and community room, in January, and was due to be completed in September.
With the commitment made, contract signed and grant funding needing spent by a certain time, the committee are pushing ahead with the works, but don’t expect the extension to open until January now.
“We are still actively fundraising but that’s hard when you can’t organise fundraising events yet,” Ms Strachan added: “It would be great is any local businesses or people who could support us in any way financially, would do so.
“We are absolutely delighted that we are open again, even if it’s a limited service at the moment. We are excited to get back to some kind of normal after four months.”
The centre’s 28 staff are now on flexi-furlough and the indoor café, outdoor children’s play area and astro-turf are open to visitors and youth bookings.
Anyone able to donate to the hub should contact conniemacbi@outlook.com or call 0177162453.
