Many important steps have been taken in 20 years of The Dunblane Centre. Here are a few memorable moments in its history so far!
GRAND OPENING DAY - 25 SEPTEMBER 2004
The people of Dunblane collectively decided that a safe place that allowed all generations to come together and enjoy would be the perfect legacy to those lost. Architect Willie Brown and his project team designed the unique building. A team of amazing volunteers turned this dream into reality and still to this day we are helped immensely by a board of voluntary trustees who generously give up their time.
Requiring approximately £200,000 per year to operate, the Centre relies solely on income from activities, facility hire, fundraising and grant funding. We are hugely grateful to everyone for all the support we receive in every way.
**************
10 SEP 2014
We wrote a book which tells the story of The Centre's first 10 years, from its original concept, to the many years of planning and building, its historic opening, and the huge amount of fun, activity and provision it has offered along the way!
“The Dunblane Centre: The Gift That Keeps Growing” is edited by Mick North, Pam Ross and Nora Gilfillan, and features contributions from dozens of locals including Wimbledon hero Andy Murray and centre patrons Lord George Robertson and Lord Michael Forsyth.
It tells the story of how the unique facility was built through a combination of global support in the aftermath of the Dunblane tragedy of March 13 1996 and the dedication and vision of local people.
By Kaiya Marjoribanks
Dunblane Centre book launch (Image: Mark Ferguson for Whyler Photos)
10TH ANNIVERSARY - SEPTEMBER 2014
We undertook some fantastic projects for the 10th anniversary. One was our amazing knitted teepee, crafted by many nimble fingers....and our unique and wonderful Tree of Life which was created and gifted by renowned artist/sculptor Walter Bailey, and unveiled by our very special friend,
Lorraine Kelly!
**************
20TH ANNIVERSARY - SEPTEMBER 2024
The Dunblane Centre is celebrating the very exciting news that we have been awarded
£102k of National Lottery funding to support our new project -
Beacon of Hope: Empowering Community Unity at The Dunblane Centre!
This incredibly generous new funding from
The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will make a huge difference to what we are able to provide here at The Dunblane Centre. Approximately 1,200 people visit The Dunblane Centre each week and that is set to grow.
Once the Beacon of Hope project is fully set up, The National Lottery Community Fund grant will fund specific salaries over the next two years, ensuring we’ll be able to extend our 5-day a week offering to that of a 7-day a week provision! This exciting step will ensure we can reach out to even more local people of all ages within our community with a wider range of activities.
If you would like to get involved in a more supportive role and join our merry band as one of our highly valued volunteers, whether that’s once a week, once a month or for occasional events only, we’d love to hear from you too! In which case, please email our job-share Centre Managers, Claire and Dionne, at
manager@dunblanecentre.co.uk
In the meantime, we want to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to all players of The National Lottery! This game-changing vote of confidence in what we do at The Dunblane Centre means the world to us. In this, the 20th year of The Dunblane Centre’s doors being open, as a living tribute and as a gift to the community, we couldn’t be more grateful.
**************
20TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER DANCE
We had a wonderful celebration of our 20th Anniversary on Saturday 9 November and raised lots of funds for the Centre.
Our
host and Patron, Lorraine Kelly, was fantastic! Her Q&A session was great fun. She drew the Cash Raffle and phoned the winners there and then. She also gave us a shout out on her
Facebook page!!
To everyone who came along - Thank you!
Lorraine said
"Congrats - so much hard work went into making it so special. What a fabulous night! I had a lovely time.
Huge thanks to all the team who put together Saturday's fundraising event. Your team went above and beyond. Thanks to everyone who gave their support"
Oh what a night! 
