The Community Centre in Barvas was conceived and born out of the Barvas Show, first held in 1921. The local school provided accommodation in the early days, but in time this proved to be inadequate for the demands of the Show. In 1954, Colin F Macdonald, Show secretary, proposed that “the whole Show area collaborate in erection of a centrally situated, properly organised Community Centre.” A grant of £300 was obtained from the local authority and £50 from a charitable trust. Local fund raising ventures included selling peat from the West Side in Stornoway at five shillings a bag. Eventually a grant of £100 from the Lower Barvas Grazing committeeMain Entrancemade the scheme possible and a commodious, fairly priced dismantled wooden hut was erected on a feu in 1957. This hut served until 1971, when the feu and £260 were transferred from the Agricultural Society to the Barvas Community Association. The condition of the Show ground was improved and a new solidly constructed Community Centre was completed three years later largely through the efforts of the local community. Since then, Barvas Hall has been the Centre for many successful social and other activities on the West Side, but the lack of heating and the need for diversification of functions in a modern community facility lead to the desire for a modern warm multifunctional Centre. Planning started in 1996 and after a number of early disappointments, the new Annex at the Community Centre finally opened in 2007.

The creation of a new football pitch for the West Side Football and Recreation Club in 2002 on a site adjacent to the Centre, and the need for modern changing facilities for the players provided the stimulus for renewed efforts by the Community Centre to raise the necessary funds for a comprehensive modernisation project. The Centre became registered as a limited company, recognised as a Scottish charity, and the committee became its directors. The chairman was Angus Macleod, whose father Abe Macleod had acted as foreman in the erection of the original wooden hut. The long serving treasurer is Ian Cockburn, and some of the directors are old hands of the Barvas Show including Norman and Calum Mackay from Upper Barvas. Co-directors Peggy Macleod, Anne Mackay and Maud Maciver work unstintingly for fund raising functions at the Centre. Bill Hendry, the writer, served as secretary since 2002.

The project was restarted with an option appraisal based on three feasibility studies funded by a grant from the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The plans produced by Stuart Bagshaw and Associates, architects in Stornoway, were selected after a detailed enquiry into the perceived needs of the Community including a detailed house to house survey. Modernisation of the existing hall was to be supplemented by construction of a new Annex including changing facilities for the Football Club. A key part of the project was installation of under floor heating powered from sustainable energy sources. After detailed costing and a failed application to the Community Fund it became apparent that there was a choice to be made between construction of the new Annex and upgrading of the old hall. The former was chosen after a further careful option appraisal.

A funding package of just over half a million pounds was put in place, one third of which was to come from the West Side Football Club. Their key player Dan Macphail was invaluable in helping to raise the necessary monies, while Sarah Maclean in the Department of Sustainable Communities at the Comhairle provided administrative support throughout as did David Macleay, community co-ordinator. Major financial contributors to the project included Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Scottish Executive, the Big Lottery Fund and Western Isles Enterprise (HIE Innse Gall). Additional funds were received from Lloyds TSB Trust, the Crofting Counties Development Scheme, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Gannochy Trust and the Robertson Trust. The basic funding for fabric of the building was supplemented by generous grants from Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (HIE Innse Gall) and the Comhairle for the heating from renewable energy (ground source heat pumps) costing more than £120,000. The £25,000 cost of fitting out the new kitchen was met by Community Economic Development, the Hugh Fraser Foundation, the Rank Foundation, the Trusthouse Foundation and Comann Eachdraidh Bharabhais agus Bhrù as well as several generous individual donations and bequests, and a highly successful community appeal. Councillor Iain Morrison gave unstinting support to the project, which is ongoing with extension of the car park and installation of a modern public address system as well as stage lighting.

Once the funding was in place the job was put out to tender: John Murray & Co were chosen as the builders and they were given the contract after identifying and agreeing significant savings amounting to more than £100,000 with Angus Rennie, quantity surveyor, who has kept the project tightly within budget every since then. The construction proceeded largely without complication, although a number of irritating small items still require attention before the retention monies will be released. At the opening concert last November, the audience was entertained by the Mod medal winning Gaelic singer Ronnie Murray, son of John Murray, who headed up the building project.

Now that the project is completed the community has a warm and comfortable Community Centre to be proud of, with a hall seating 200 people, an activity room that holds 80, a coffee room and a committee/computer room. There are new toilet facilities and full disabled access throughout. The kitchen is up to modern commercial standards.

The West Side Football and Recreation Club have changing facilities for two teams as well as officials alongside their beautiful new pitch, and they recently carried off the prestigious Eilean an Fhroaich Cup. This triumph is seen as part of an ongoing successful partnership between the Centre, the Community and its various clubs and organisations including the Youth Club and Comann Chroig amongst others. The new Centre is now run for all ages under the chairmanship of Calum Mackay, 9 Upper Barvas (Tel 840302). Bookings should be made with Suzi Morrison on 840406 or Peggy Macleod on 840400