1 of 38

����������Troon Development Trust public meeting of 2nd July 2025.�Purpose of this meeting is to update the public on the Trust’s ‘Former Church’ Project and answer any questions.�

2 of 38

What is Troon Development Trust (TDT)?�(SC053162)

TDT is a community owned and community led organisation with registered charity status.

Introduce the Trustees

3 of 38

Purpose

THE TDT PURPOSES ARE TO BENEFIT PRINCIPALLY THE COMMUNITY OF TROON/LOANS WHICH COMPRISES THE KA10 AREA (“THE COMMUNITY”) WITH THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:

    • the advancement of citizenship or community development
    • the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science
    • the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended
    • the advancement of environmental protection or improvement

4 of 38

TDT - Powers

TDT HAS POWER TO DO ANYTHING WHICH IS CALCULATED TO FURTHER ITS PURPOSES OR IS CONDUCIVE OR INCIDENTAL TO DOING SO.

IN PARTICULAR, (BUT WITHOUT LIMITING THE RANGE OF POWERS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CHARITIES AND TRUSTEE INVESTMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 2005) THE SCIO HAS POWER:

    • to register any interest in land and to exercise any right to buy under Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003;
    • to exercise any right to buy under Part 3A of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003;
    • to exercise any right to buy under Part 5 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016; and
    • to make any participation request under Part 3 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and/or any asset transfer request under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, and to take any appropriate steps following upon the making of any such request.

5 of 38

Main Aim of TDT

CREATE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL IN THE KA10 AREA

CREATE AND MAINTAIN WEALTH WITHIN THAT AREA AND KEEPING IT THERE.

PRESERVING ALL THAT’S GOOD AND IMPROVING ALL THAT NEEDS IMPROVED.

6 of 38

The ‘Former Church’ Project

WHY?

7 of 38

Background

Back in 2019 the community knew that the Church of Scotland was looking at consolidating its asset portfolio and one of the three Church of Scotland Churches in Troon was going to close.

The Troon Development Trust committee at the time had spoken about trying to find out more as it would be perfect as a central community hub.

Troon Together was formed and commissioned the public consultation that took place that year.

8 of 38

2019 Troon Together Action Plan�Some Highlights

Central Community Hub

Museum/Heritage Centre

Seniors Centre

Green space improvements

Cinema

Youth Centre for ALL teens

Kids Club

Soft Play Area

Music/Theatre/Drama Venue

Community Garden

9 of 38

Former Troon Old Parish Church and Halls� As A Community Hub

10 of 38

11 of 38

Use of the spaces available

MUSEUM/HERITAGE CENTRE

SHOWCASE THE RICH HISTORY OF THE KA10 AREA SUCH AS SHIPBUILDING, FIRST PASSENGER RAILWAY LINE, CK MARR, RUGBY AND GOLF. WE ALSO HAVE A RICH HISTORY THAT TAKES INTO THE FACT THAT THE SPITFIRES FLEW INTO TROON TO BE REPAIRED AT BARASSIE WORKS.

THIS FALLS PERFECTLY INTO THE PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORY OF THESE BUILDINGS WHILE REPURPOSING FOR THE USE BY THE COMMUNITY AND VISITORS.

12 of 38

Brief History

  • THE BIG HALL WAS THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE-BUILT CHURCH THAT WAS COMPLETED IN 1838. THE STEEPLE AND TOWN CLOCK WAS BUILT IN 1843.
  • NEO-GOTHIC BUILDING IN RED SANDSTONE BY HIPPOLYTE BLANC AND DEDICATED IN 1895. NOT ONLY IS THIS ONE OF TROON'S MOST SIGNIFICANT LANDMARKS, IT IS ALSO ONE OF HIPPOLYTE BLANC'S LAST AND POTENTIALLY BEST DESIGNS.
  • THE STAINED GLASS OF THE ASCENSION WINDOW IS BY THE MORRIS STUDIO; OTHER WINDOWS BY GORDON WEBSTER.
  • VARIOUS MEMORIALS INCLUDING THE TROON OLD PARISH CHURCH WW2 BRASS PLAQUE DEDICATED TO THE MEN OF THE CHURCH WHO FELL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

13 of 38

Important to Preserve the Sanctuary

14 of 38

What can we do with the Sanctuary

Community use.

School graduations

School bands

Drama/theatre clubs

Music rehearsals

Learning/education presentations

Pop-up cinema

As an income generating venue.

Weddings

Corporate events

Special occasions

Musical gigs/concerts

Theatre and drama performances.

Choirs

15 of 38

What can we do with halls

Hire out the halls to various organisations.

  • Yoga/dancing/toddler groups
  • martial arts
  • keep fit
  • Group meetings
  • Art workshops/studio space
  • Any other group

16 of 38

What can we do with halls

Activities that will meet the needs of ALL such as;-

  • Wellness workshops
  • Softplay area
  • Youth clubs
  • Senior clubs
  • Learning Centre
  • Any other activities

17 of 38

Where are we currently?

THE GENERAL TRUSTEES OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND HAVE GIVEN US EXCLUSIVITY FOR FUTURE TRANSFER UNTIL 30 SEPTEMBER 2025.

THE PURCHASE PRICE IS £200,000

  • WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED GRANT FUNDING FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE FUND FOR A FEASIBILITY/BUSINESS PLAN AND TO HAVE OUR OWN VALUATION CARRIED OUT.
  • DOUGLAS WESTWATER – COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE

18 of 38

Who are we in contact with?

  • DEVELOPMENT TRUSTS ASSOCIATION SCOTLAND – COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP SUPPORT SERVICE (COSS)
  • SCOTTISH LAND FUND
  • NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND
  • ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE FUND
  • HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND
  • SOUTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL
  • VOLUNTARY ACTION SOUTH AYRSHIRE

19 of 38

How will we raise the purchase price?

  • CROWDFUNDER
  • FUNDRAISING EVENTS
  • PHILANTHROPY
  • GRANT FUNDING

FUNDRAISING EVENTS TO SHOW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR FUNDERS.

20 of 38

What about repair bill?

THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL REPAIR BILL ATTACHED TO THESE BUILDINGS.

THE TRUST ARE IN A GOOD POSITION AS A SCIO WITH A COMPREHENSIVE CONSTITUTION THAT WAS DEVELOPED BY A LEGAL FIRM COMMISSIONED BY DTAS.

THERE IS GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THESE TYPES OF REPAIRS SUCH AS HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND.

21 of 38

Is it all sustainable for the future?

THE TRUST WANTS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE PROJECTS AND EVENTS ALL AROUND THE KA10 AREA, NOT JUST IN THE TOWN CENTRE.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OTHER ORGANISATIONS, VENUES AND LOCAL BUSINESSES TO ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE AREA.

FOR THE FUTURE THE ‘CHURCH’ PROJECT WILL GIVE US THE MEANS TO BE SELF SUSTAINABLE TO PRESERVE THESE BUILDINGS AND DELIVER FOR THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN DEPEND ON GRANT FUNDING.

22 of 38

������Similar Venues

NO 1 - COTTIERS IN GLASGOW

COTTIERS IS A THEATRE LOCATED IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. IT ALSO OPERATES AS A BAR AND RESTAURANT. COTTIERS OCCUPIES THE BUILDING OF THE 19TH-CENTURY FORMER DOWANHILL PARISH CHURCH

23 of 38

24 of 38

25 of 38

Where did Cottiers get its name?

Daniel Cottier was an internationally-renown designer. His art and craftwork adorned some of the finest homes and public spaces of the Victorian era.

Information taken from Cottier's website!-

Whether it's a local grassroots musician’s album launch or a big-name touring Scotland, Cottiers as a music venue is second to none for its intimate ambiance and fine acoustic.

We host a number of stage plays every year and comedy acts as well as choirs, classical music, pocket opera and organ recitals.

26 of 38

No 2 – Coats in Paisley - Shares the same architect

HIPPOLYTE BLANC

27 of 38

Taken from the Coats website-

Coats Memorial Preservation Trust is a charity set up to maintain the Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church building and promote its use as a multi-faceted, world-class event venue.

The charity is headed by a collection of local philanthropists, legal and financial professionals and project managers who have successfully kept the building open and well maintained.

The charity’s main objective is to ensure the building is preserved and enhanced for use by the local Paisley community and made available to a broader national and international audience for various events.

28 of 38

This venue gets international recognition

Former Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church building and it promotes use as a multi-faced, world-class event venue.

The charity’s main objective is to ensure the building is preserved and enhanced for use by the local Paisley community.

29 of 38

No 3 Assembly Roxy�Managed by Assembly Theatre Ltd, SC010575.

INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE WEBSITE!-

ROXY IS A UNIQUE VENUE SITUATED IN THE HEART OF EDINBURGH’S OLD TOWN. THE HISTORIC FORMER CHURCH BUILDING HOUSES THREE MAIN SPACES ALL EQUIPPED WITH MODERN SOUND AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS.�

THE LARGEST IS ROXY CENTRAL; A TRULY UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL SPACE, WITH ORIGINAL FEATURES, A STAGE AND BAR AREA. IT IS A FLEXIBLE SPACE SEATING UP TO 238 IN THEATRE STYLE, AND WHERE WE HOLD A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENTS, RANGING FROM THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, CEILIDHS, WEDDINGS AND CORPORATE EVENTS. 

30 of 38

Roxy Upstairs is a theatre space with raked seating for up to 169 audience members, while Roxy Downstairs (currently used during the Fringe Festival only) is a more intimate studio space seating up to 60 people. 

31 of 38

Assembly Roxy is also home to the Snug Bar, a cosy space to relax before, during or after an event, and where we also host intimate events, readings, live music and performances in a relaxed atmosphere.

32 of 38

��Recommended Suppliers�

WE HAVE NO INTENTION ON TAKING ANY BUSINESS AWAY FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

  • FLOWERS
  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • CATERING
  • BANDS
  • DJ
  • ACCOMMODATION

LET'S MAKE PARTNERSHIPS

33 of 38

Gardens

Community garden

Wildlife garden

Outdoor activity space for events

Periodic market stalls

Picnic benches and restful space in town centre for folk to chill.

34 of 38

Base for the Troon Chapter of �Cycling without age

SERVING THE OLD AND DISABLED OF ALL AGES

35 of 38

What do we need you to do?

Provide financial support via

  • Our crowdfunder.
  • Fundraising events – please support
  • Volunteering to do some fundraising

Please spread the word amount friends and family here and abroad if they have connections to the KA10 area

36 of 38

Food for thought

POPULATION OF TROON/LOANS 19,126

37 of 38

In an ideal world

IF ONLY

38 of 38

Thank you for coming along

THE TRUSTEES WILL NOW BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS

WWW.TROONDEVELOPMENTTRUST.CO.UK