Expansion work has been completed at community hub, Aros an Rubha in Knock with the opening of a new community launderette, additional parking and extended office space.
The project is an investment of over £500,000, funded by community wind farm charity, Point and Sandwick Trust (PST) and is the result of community consultation carried out in 2018. The launderette offers a number of commercial washing machines and driers for public use and be run by Aros an Rubha staff. As well as maintaining jobs through management of the launderette, the community hub will also retain all profits for local benefit.
O’Mac Construction began work at the site in summer 2024 and the community launderette is officially opening on Wednesday 19th March. Aros an Rubha Manager, Baiba Reinfield said of the opening, “The opening of our new launderette is a wonderful addition to Aros an Rubha. It significantly enhances the services we offer, providing a much-needed facility for our community. We hope it will be a well-used and valuable resource for everyone. We are immensely grateful to Point and Sandwick Trust for their generous funding (once again!), which has made this project a reality. Their support is invaluable to the continued success of Aros an Rubha.”
The extension project also adds a further 18 car parking spaces to the site which is home to Buth an Rubha shop and Café Roo, dedicated museum & exhibition space for Comann Eachdraidh An Rubha, archive & storage facilities for community paper The Rudhach, a meeting room with kitchen facilities, hotdesking facilities and PST offices.
PST Manager, DJ MacSween commented on the latest development work, “The new community launderette at Aros an Rubha will add another element to what is already a thriving hub for the for the PST area and further afield and we are extremely pleased to support its roll out. This investment is in addition to the £500,000 grant award PST made to Urras Stòras An Rubha for the initial renovation project at the old school and we couldn’t be more impressed with the success of Aros an Rubha. From local history exhibitions from Coman Eachdraidh An Rubha, fantastic Christmas and Easter events for the kids, the shop, café and more, it’s a pleasure to see the building in such use”.
The new extension comes three years after significant restoration at the site of the former Knock School was completed. Aros an Rubha opened its doors in 2022 as a showcase for the use of renewable energy. The predominantly off-grid building went on to win Best Community Project in the Green Energy Awards for its smart mix of energy including solar panels, air source heat pump and insulation.
The launderette will open between 9am-6pm (last wash 5pm), Monday – Saturday.
Washing: £6 per load (max 14kg)
Dryer: £1 per 15 minutes (max 14.5kg)
Card payment only and customers will need to bring their own detergent.
Pictured top L-R: Norman Mackenzie (PST), Baiba Reinfelde and Catriona Dunn (Aros an Rubha) opening day for Aros an Rubha Community Launderette.
Credit SandiePhotos
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