The Highlands’ newest Culture and Events venue has been unveiled as part of the official opening of an innovative £1.8m social enterprise project in Tain.
The completed Gro For You Community Innovation Campus is now fully operational, crowned by the unveiling of a new 9m spherical Events Dome which, it is hoped, will become a magnet for the cream of Scottish culture.
As well as bringing cultural acts, conferences, weddings and family celebrations to Tain, the venue will also help create new horizons for local young people.
Additional revenues generated by luring national and local acts to the Dome will be reinvested in apprenticeships and opportunities for Tain’s youngsters, a unique model described as ‘transformational’ by Scotland’s First Minister during a visit to the site in February.
The new Events Dome was opened on the 5-acre site in late September by Mrs Joanie Whiteford, Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty.
Gro For You founder and Chief Executive Sarah Mackenzie described the new events space, with views over the Dornoch Firth, as ‘memorable’, and called on those in Scotland’s arts, corporate and family events scene to choose Tain, in a bit to help build fresh opportunity in an area traditionally affected by outward youth migration.
“The Events Dome is very different from a traditional Events or conference venue,” said the Chief Executive, who disclosed that the space will be named The Hugh Fullerton-Smith Dome, as a tribute to the memory of the departed founding partner.
“Ultimately, we want it to create a circle of impact, bringing performers and events here from all over Scotland while creating opportunities for local artists, suppliers, businesses and young people.
“Events and hospitality income will be reinvested into creating further opportunities for our community. So, when somebody chooses to hold an event here, they are leaving something behind long after the guests have gone home.
“That is what makes the Dome particularly special – it isn’t just about creating memorable events. It is about using those events to help create lasting impacts.”
Since opening for its soft launch in May, the Campus attraction on the North Coast 500 has attracted 200 customers per day to its café, children’s play areas and training spaces, creating 27 local jobs.
For You Training, the CIC which spearheaded the project, certified 980 students as a local training provider last year, with 90% pupil attainment in Foundation Apprenticeships and Wider Achievement awards.
As well as being a unique visitor attraction, profits are ploughed back into providing meaningful qualifications and opportunities for pupils, tailored to local economic needs.
Working with Highland employers and partners from the private, public and third sectors, Gro For You founders hope to create a Community Centre of Excellence for Future Skills at the campus site.
“We have a strong business model and a strong social value model. For us, commercial success and community impact are not competing priorities,” added Sarah Mackenzie.
“The more Events we can attract, for example, the more opportunities and community benefits we can provide. It’s a win-win.”