What do you want to do? 

Following the completion of the purchase of St Fergus Church on the 8th of October 2026 we seek funding to transform, the former, St Fergus Church into St Fergus Community Centre with the provision of a large hall, small hall, meeting room, a multi occupancy office and managers office and event space.

Due to the size and scale of the project we plan for a two part phased funding and project approach, it is planned for the operation of this building as a community centre under Phase 1 with the events space falling under Phase 2 which we hope to carry out concurrently.

We are requesting funding for Phase 1 which will include the ground floor large hall, small hall, meeting room, a multi occupancy office, managers office (upstairs) and roof repairs.

Phase 1

• Carry our minor roof repairs to replace a small number of loose tiles at the east and west end of the roof, which is causing water ingress to the roof of the large event room space, reposition the down pipe run off away from this area and clear guttering of vegetation to restore effectiveness.  
• Painting of the internal ground floor provision from floor to, and including, ceilings and woodwork to enable use of office space and use and hire of the large hall, small hall, office spaces and meeting room.
• Provision of chairs, tables, office furniture, IT equipment, audio visual equipment, dishwasher, tea urn, crockery & cutlery and cookwear.
• Supply and fitting of carpet to the ground floor area and first floor managers office.

The funding request is for £75,000 which includes the decoration carried out by a professional Decorator, this approach would be much quicker allowing the facility to be functional sooner and have a professional and consistent look and finish throughout.

(We did consider the possibility the cost could be reduced to £51,740 with just the cost of supply of materials included in the £51,740 figure and the decoration work carried out potentially by volunteers, however on reflection this is a very difficult job to complete due to the height of the ceilings and walls, which would also pose safety risks and concerns so would require a professional to carry out that work. Also using volunteers would take much longer and rely on goodwill, delay the potential to open sooner and has the probability of variation in standards of finish).

Why is your project important?

St Fergus Church is a 196 year old historical building that has been an integral part of the community of Wick. The building has been closed since 2024 and the community have expressed in a number of ways, and formats, that they did not want the building to fall into disrepair or be another vacant property held by an absentee landlord. The community wanted to keep the building as a local asset for the community. Now under the ownership and stewardship of Wick Development Trust, who have a track record of project successes and community support, it is to be transformed into a Community Facility, St Fergus Community Centre.

We are currently undertaking a Community Development Plan which commenced in June 2026 and is to be published in November 2026. This building has been identified in the Community Development Plan findings as an asset the community wanted to keep. A petition of over 2,500 signature was collected to support the cause, and 22 letters of support were also received.

Social media and press releases have been embraced and positively received with full support from the community and offers of support, volunteering and encouragement for the community facility. There have been over 900 interactions, offers of support, congratulations and how delighted people are to see a new era and use for this building.

On page 10 of the Caithness Area Place Plan it was identified

‘Many highlighted demand for more accessible community spaces, such as sports facilities, libraries, and community halls, with some comments pointing to the need for new or better used spaces and longer weekend opening hours to improve. The cost of hiring community spaces was also cited as a barrier, even preventing some groups continuing with their activities.’

This further supports the need and wants of the community that St Fergus Community Centre will fulfil.

What positive impact will your project have?

The community of Wick are delighted the previously empty building on High Street Wick will be brought back into use as a community owned facility. This will also benefit the wider community of Caithness.

Outcomes

• Develop the building into a usable community facility.
• Enable affordable room hire for the community.
• Use of modern and up to date facilities and equipment.
• Open St Fergus Community Centre.
• Use of the centre facilities and bookings increase month by month.
• The St Fergus Community Centre will generate income to support it’s running costs.
• The community express support of the centre. 

What key milestones have you achieved so far and what will your next steps be? 

Key milestones achieved so far

Community engagement and support – engagement participation sessions have taken place, completion of Community Development Survey and feedback analysed, petition of over 2,500 signatures supporting St Fergus Church remains in the community for the community.

Business case completed and is available to funders on request.

Quotes - costings are based on quotes received, these can be provided.

The Trust has directly received congratulations from hundreds of people through emails and face book messages or comments, as well as offers of physical help as volunteers in support of this project.

Next steps: To commence work as soon as funding is in place and further promote facility.

Anticipated Start date: – as soon as funding is available End date: for phase 1 to be open and running by February 2027