A ground-breaking facility set to breathe new life into an Irvine neighbourhood was officially opened on Saturday night.

The £1.8million Fullarton Community Hub will feature a range of facilities including a doctor’s surgery, multi-purpose hall and community café.

And Saturday’s launch marked the end of a project that began over four years ago when the community took ownership of the land through an ambitious asset transfer.

Since then, the Fullarton Community Association, with support from North Ayrshire Council, have come up with a concept, secured funding from various sources – including the Big Lottery and the Irvine Bay Regeneration Company– and worked tirelessly to ensure the vision of their Hub is exactly how they imagined it to be.

The new facility will offer: a high-quality community hub building with flexible space for community use; an integrated health centre and GP practice; a centre for the community to gather and hold events; high quality outdoor recreational space, including a multi-use games area and community garden; and facilities for young people through the provision of a youth club and youth training.

Donna Fitzpatrick, Chair of Fullarton Community Association, said: “It has taken a huge amount of effort to get to where we are today.

“I’m so proud to be standing here looking at this new facility. It is fantastic.

“The new health facilities and GP practice in particular will mean local people can attend appointments within their local community, within walking distance of where they live.

“The new hub will be a lifeline to our community, and together with the new multi-use games area and community garden, it will allow young and elderly alike to come together on many joint ventures for the future.

“This is a momentous day for the whole community and I couldn’t be happier. Thanks to everyone who made it possible.”

Building work started in September last year and the Hub replaces an older community centre which was deemed no longer fit for purpose.

Ruth Maguire MSP, who officially opened the hub, said: “One of the proudest moments of my time as a councillor for the area was the ambitious asset transfer in 2013 that saw the community take ownership of the land on which the new hub stands – the first major transfer undertaken by North Ayrshire Council under Community Empowerment Legislation.

“Four years later, it was a huge honour to be invited as the MSP for the area to officially open the new Fullarton Community Hub that so many have worked so hard to achieve.

“I would like to express my most sincere thanks to Donna and Community Association members past and present who dedicated their time and effort to making this community hub a reality.”

The project was funded through a £1,127,389 award from the Big Lottery, and a further £650,000 from Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company while North Ayrshire Council, Robertsons Trust and other partners are providing community development support as well as financial backing