By james art 
Local communities groups are invited to apply for events funding as part of the exciting Great Harbor plans for Ervine.
The Great Harbor Community Fund has started to supplement the ambitious plans of £ 14 million for the Harborside region.
In order to support the delivery of the Great Harbor project, a special fund has been set up, offering small grants from local groups to hold events at Harborside or Beach Park in Ervine.
The GREAT Harbor Community Fund aims to support projects and activities that contribute to the transformation and regeneration of Irvine Harborside, with a specific focus on free community events, to help increase the number of visitors and costs for visitors and support development of Irvine Harborside as an important Irshire tourist destination. We hope that the Fund will also contribute to promoting well -being, reducing inequalities, improving access to cultural and physical activities and promoting a sense of place and property of the Community.
The Big Port is part of the investment for the growth of an Irshire in tourism. The business case for the first phase of the Coast Center project was approved at the end of last year. Work will include the development of a thematic regional playplayer and other recreation and landscaping facilities, reflecting the coastal location, a new setting for the pilot house, improved connections between the beach park and the harbor supporting active travel and re -lining of the Beach Drive park to increase capacity S
The McLAUGHLIN CONSTRUCTION contractor has been appointed to carry out the works and it is expected to be completed in the fall, provided that the time and conditions of the site.
The grants under the fund are accessible to groups of communities, non -profit organizations, clubs, etc., which are drawn up and hold an organizational bank account. The proposed events must achieve at least one target in Group 1 and at least one in group 2, as described in detail below:
Group 1: Harborside Connection
- Promoting the large port and Irvine Harbanside as a tourist destination.
- Celebration of Local Art, Culture or History Related to Harbanside’s Heritage
- Offering protection activities or biological diversity focused on the dune system
- Promoting physical activity in the green and blue spaces of Harborside
- Piloting the initiative for social enterprises at Irvine Harborside or Beach Park.
Group 2: Community impact
- Irvine Harborside Event Testing Spaces and Collection of Measurable Reviews
- Promoting equality and promoting good relationships between different groups
- Encouraging cooperation with other impact enlargement organizations.
When the Fund’s panel determines that the application is aligned with the goals of the Grant, a successful group will be granted first. This will enable successful groups to apply for the necessary permits, consent and insurance. Applicants must allow up to 10 weeks to provide these permits. The panel will make a final decision on the prize based on this information.
For more tips on planning your event, please contact [email protected].
You can find more details about the full process on the next website
Quote: We have committed much of the community’s commitment during the development of plans for the large port to ensure that the investment in the Irshire growth deal responds to local priorities and the community will be extremely important as we go forward. That is why we are pleased to present the Great Harbour Community Fund, which will give the groups a chance to host events and really celebrate and show this beautiful part of Irvine. We look forward to working at the coastal center this year. “
Quote from: Advisor Tony Gurney., Cabinet member for green and economy
After the first phase, the work will start at the second phase of the project. The sea mile, including the sea and artificial center, which will include a new shore space on the shore, which helps to support events, improve access to marine facilities and reconstruction of important hereditary assets, in compliance with additional funding.
The third phase aims to create a hub for marine heritage. This will see the Council in partnership with the Marine Museum of Scotland and Crown Estate Scotland to improve and expand existing facilities around Harborside, including the Puffers Café area. We hope that this will increase visitors and encourage increased participation in maritime heritage in the area.
Posted: January 28, 2025