The Lochboisdale, Iomairt aig an Oir area includes from Askernish to South Glendale in South Uist. It has a population of approximately 1100 people. Daliburgh Junior Secondary School has a healthy role of 140 and the local Pre-School unit - Croileagan a' Chinn a' Deas - has over 40 children who attend on a regular basis.
Although, this Iomairt area is primarily a crofting and fishing community, there are a number of local businesses, building contractors, retail outlets, hotels, B&B's, community facilities, and a geriatric care facility.
Since the Iomairt aig an Oir initiative was launched, a local steering group - Southend (South Uist) Development Group - has been formed consisting of 14 members. SDG consider it a priority to bring new employment into the area and to halt outward migration from the area. Improved leisure facilities and more social activities are required to improve the quality of life amongst local people. In 2002 SDG launched a development plan and are in the process of carrying out projects from this plan.
The group are looking at a number of different projects including:
Tobar nan Dualchais
Traditional Music Centre
Talla Chidhe - Community Meeting Place
St. Peter's Hall Improvements
Daliburgh Church of Scotland Hall Project
IT/Call Centre Facilities
Healthy Living Centre
Cladh Hallan - Amenity site beside the archeaological dig on the machair.
Croileagan a Chinn a Deas - New Pre-school Premises
Comann Spors a Chinn a Deas -Improved Outdoor Sports Facilities at Daliburgh
New Swimming Pool
Daliburgh Church of Scotland Hall - Caladh Project - to provide an information point, thrift shop, book exchange, public toilets, small café and bus waiting area in the centre of Daliburgh.
Healthy Living Centre - public consultation has highlighted the need for an improved swimming pool, health and fitness activities, counselling services and complementary health services in the Lochboisdale Iomairt area.
Traditional Music & Language Centre - to develop musical activities throughout Uist that will culminate in a centre to promote the Gaelic language, song and Traditional dance in South Uist.
Talla Chidhe, Lochboisdale - to fund the purchase of a meeting place for the Lochboisdale community, including a Project Worker to help set up, support new groups, and social activities.
New Premises for Croileagan - the Pre-School Croileagan has moved into newly converted premises, which have been leased by the group from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
IT in the Lochboisdale IaaO - to identify a suitable location for a new facility to house a call-centre in the Daliburgh/Lochboisdale area.
The Lochboisdale area saw rapid progress in the early stages of the Initiative and several large projects were undertaken and successfully completed in the first two years. There are three significant projects that are still in the planning stages, namely; a new swimming pool & all weather sports pitch in Daliburgh and a harbour development in Lochboisdale.
Lochboisdale exited the Initiate at the Edge on the 31st of March 04 and is now on the follow up phase
The Western Isles Steering Group have now finalised their Local Agreements detailing the outstanding projects still to be delivered and also the amount of Local Development Officer provision for the Follow Up phase.
Some of the content for the Local Agreement will be available shortly
If you require further information please contact
Linda Lennie
Tel: 01851-700 455
E-mail linda.lennie@hient.co.uk
Local web links:
Music Summer School, Daliburgh, South Uist
www.ceolas.co.uk
Comann Seolaidh Lochbaghasdail (Lochboisdale Sailing Club)
http://homepages.rya-online.net/whisca/csl.htm
