SAYFC is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the ambitious plans to build a state-of-the-art Young Farmers centre at their current location at Ingliston.
The decision to upgrade the current facilities became apparent when the significant cost of repairs and ongoing maintenance, coupled with the discovery of asbestos, has made it unfeasible to maintain.
Ally shares detail on the new building’s design, sustainability goals, fundraising efforts and the strong partnership with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS). He also provides a look into how the new centre will support SAYFC’s activities and benefit the wider community for years to come.
Q: Could you explain the vision for the new Young Farmers centre and how it will enhance SAYFC’s activities and support the rural youth community?
A: The vision for the new building is to create a sustainable, efficient, and multifunctional space that supports the future of SAYFC. The current building is in significant disrepair and would require extensive maintenance and repairs, not to mention the complications with asbestos.
Instead, we’re focusing on building a new, purpose-built facility that can better serve SAYFC and the rural youth community. This space will be more energy-efficient and designed to support our growing needs while also being flexible enough to host a variety of events throughout the year.
Q: SAYFC has set a £1 million fundraising target for the new centre. What strategies do you have in place to engage the community and reach this goal?
A: We’re reaching out to all SAYFC clubs and encouraging them to get behind the project. Anyone who donates £200 or more will have their name or business featured on a donor wall in the new building, which is our way of saying thank you.
Personally, I’ve set myself the ‘Chairman’s Challenge’ — I’m running a half-marathon in each region of Scotland, culminating with the Edinburgh Marathon. We already have over 30 people signed up across the regions to join me in fundraising efforts, and we’re also exploring other sources like charity trusts. We’re confident that, with community support, we can meet this goal.
A: Being part of their portfolio allows us to tap into their resources and network, which will open doors for additional funding and support. Having the centre integrated into the RHASS’s events and activities will also help raise awareness of the project and generate further interest from potential contributors.
Q: Could you provide more details on the timeline for the demolition of the current building and construction of the new facility?
A: We’re aiming to demolish the current building by 2025, but we still have a few things to finalise before that can happen. The design we’re aiming for is not overly complex, so once demolition is complete, we’re hopeful that construction will proceed smoothly. Key milestones include finalising the building’s design and securing the necessary funding. We’re working hard to ensure everything stays on track.
Q: How does the new building align with modern sustainability practices? Will there be any specific design features that cater to environmental factors?
A: We’re working with companies to ensure that the materials we use are sustainable and that the structure itself will last. We believe that is we construct a lasting building that will stand the test of time, this will be more sustainable than re-building 20 years down the line.
In terms of design, we want to maintain the same footprint as the current building but create a space that can be subdivided for different uses. It’s also important to us that the new building ties in visually with its surroundings, especially considering our partnership with RHASS.
Q: There is mention that the building will be available as an event space when not in use by SAYFC. Can you share more about the types of events, and how this will contribute to SAYFC’s revenue?
A: One of the benefits of the new centre is that it will be available for use as an event space when SAYFC is not using it. We envision hiring the venue out to businesses for the likes of conferences and events, providing a valuable revenue. The more we can rent it out, the more funds we can reinvest into SAYFC activities and supporting our members.
Q: How do you plan to involve SAYFC members, former members, and supporters in the fundraising campaign? Will there be specific events or initiatives to encourage participation?
A: We’re reaching out to our entire SAYFC network, including former members and supporters, and inviting them to participate in the fundraising efforts. We’ll be organising events and initiatives specifically designed to engage the community, and we’re encouraging every club to come up with their own fundraising activities.
We want to be able to put the building up without taking depleting from SAYFC’s current funds, ensuring we can still provide the same level of support and engagement to our members throughout the duration of the build. It’s really about bringing everyone together to support a cause that benefits the future of the rural youth community.
For further information or to donate to the new Young Farmers centre please visit:
Chairmans Challenge JustGiving page - https://www.justgiving.com/page/sayfc-chairmans-challenge
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here