A project that has been 14 years in the making finally came to fruition with the official opening of Troon Village Hall.

Tired, cold and in desperate need of modernisation, the hall was sat alongside an old church house and the old mission church, which was no longer serving a purpose in its community and had begun to fall into disrepair. Members of Troon Church Trust started to explore other options, and it was then the village hall dream was born with a vision to improve the life of the community of Troon and the Camborne area.

The old mission church was sold at auction to provide much needed funds towards the work on the house and the hall.

The official opening event marks the end of the major buildings works. The house has been developed and will now be available for rent to provide an income to help with the upkeep of the hall. The hall itself has now got an accessible ramp and new entrance, a renewed kitchen with new appliances, and a new room with its own kitchen. The main hall has been insulated, secondary glazed, decorated and a new floor has been laid with underfloor heating. A new stage has been created with AV equipment and the building now has renewable energy sources including PV panels on the roof and an air source heating system.

It is expected that the environmentally friendly building will save around 1400kg of CO2 annually.

Members of the Troon Church Trust, who are also on Treslothan Church PCC, joined local people and councillors to see the ribbon cut by Sally Weadon, Cornwall County Councillor. Sally told those present: “We truly hope this renewed and improved community asset will serve you well.”

In order to undertake the project, the trustees had to raise a huge amount of money with well over £500,000 needed to complete the project. They got off to a flying start their project manager secured funding from Acre, acting on behalf of the Jubilee Hall Fund, awarded 7% of the capital cost – £40,500. Trustees were fortunate to be able to utilise the skills of one of the Diocese of Truro’s project managers, Nanette Newton-Hinge, who went on to successfully secure funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which, through Cornwall Council, provided £447,631, The National Lottery Community Fund – £149,000 and The Good Growth Fund Team which gave £2,500 towards the cost of tendering the project.

Nanette said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside the trustees in delivering this project, it was a challenge to fund raise the £644,171 needed. I am delighted to see the finished result; Troon is a wonderful community, and I hope they enjoy their improved village hall for decades to come.”

The final element was an interest free six-month loan from the Diocese of Truro which enabled the trustees to cash flow the works.

Sophie Eddy, Diocesan Director of Finance and Assets, said: “We are pleased the Board of Finance could step in and provide assistance with this project. I was able to attend the opening, and it was lovely to see so many people there admiring the improved facilities. Many congratulations to all involved in making this happen, it is a wonderful asset for the community.”

Revd Canon Hilary Samson, Chair of the Troon Church Trust, said: “It’s such an opportunity to serve our village and see the potential that the new facilities offer to everyone. I would like thank all our funders and sponsors, the project delivery team, and trustees for their help and support.”

The hall is already proving a hit locally with the underfloor heating being enjoyed by yoga class attendees and toddlers at play group.