A DEDICATED team of volunteers and numerous supporters are behind the success story that is Catrine Games Hall.

When East Ayrshire Council announced they were closing the facility an action committee was formed, guided by then councillor David Shaw.

An asset transfer was approved, the hall survived, and is now run by Catrine Community Trust and open to the public on an as-and-when basis.

Tommy Milgrew, who has experience of managing similar facilities for the council and East Ayrshire Leisure, is the hall’s manager.

He reflected on the journey, which began when the hall was opened by Nan McIntyre, councillor at the time, in September 1991.

“It was part of a project which resulted in Cumnock and Doon Valley Council building six games hall in six small villages.

“Catrine, under the guidance of long term staff members, Mhairi Bennett and John Grieve, became a popular, well-patronised and innovative facility.

“Older users will fondly remember the football league that ran for many years, the indoor roller hockey set-up which proved so successful and the athletics training the led to Catrine PS monopolising the East Ayrshire Schools Athletics event for many years,” Tommy said.

The centre now offers fitness and spin classes, badminton and judo tuition, dance classes — which are fully booked at present, football coaching, all ability classes and fun sessions for both children and toddlers.

It has also been used as a training facility during winter by Cumnock Rugby Club and Rosebank Boys Club, while children’s birthday parties are available at competitive rates.

All classes are run by top quality and proven instructors including —

Dancing by KG Dance: Kirsty and her sister Emma run highly organised classes that are ability-based. As participants improve, they are moved through the organised system leading to competition and the group has a proven track record at UK level.

Judo: Instructors are Louise and Kimberley Renicks, both of whom won gold medals for Scotland at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The Golden Renicks Sisters company are supporting Catrine Games Hall by offering various classes and workshops to the community, numbers are continuing to rise and an Easter Camp has been arranged.

Football: Kilmarnock FC run classes for pre-fives and also aged five and over. Coaches from the Rugby Park club supervise each session.

Badminton: Coaches are Tommy Milgrew and Natasha Kerr. A well-established senior class continues to run every Thursday, however a new beginners’ class has started on Tuesdays and, similar to the judo, children will be guided along a specific coaching pathway with progression to harder classes as their skills develop.

Tommy added: “In a major coup for the centre, Stagecoach West Scotland have agreed to sponsor an indoor five-a-side football tournament.

“This will start within the next few weeks with teams playing each other on a league basis. It is hoped this will be well attended and that a winter league, with teams playing opponents twice, will start later in the year.

“A few places remain for teams wishing to take part and the opening fixtures will hopefully be played within the next week or so — anyone wishing to enter should act swiftly.”

Stagecoach West Scotland are one of several organisations that Tommy, on behalf of Catrine Community Trust, is grateful to for their help and support.

He said: “I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the following — The Cumnock Chronicle for publishing various articles; Vibrant Communities, especially Kieran Wardrop and Craig Fulton; East Ayrshire Leisure; the community of Catrine and surrounding areas for their ongoing support.”

Although the centre opens subject to demand, Tommy can be contacted on 07718 768127 or tmilgrew@gmail.com when it is closed.

Catrine Games Hall phone number is still 01290 552887 and information is available on Facebook while work is underway on a new website.

Volunteers are still needed, get in contact even if you can help out for an hour or two each week.