Lanthorn community centre reopens after year’s delay

Edinburgh: The Lanthorn Community Centre has finally reopened after being closed for a year. It shut down in 2021 when RAAC was discovered in the roof. The council announced the reopening on social media, and it sounds like the café is going to be a hit with its amazing menu.

People are excited to have the library back too, which will open the day after the centre. The staff can’t wait to welcome everyone again. It’s been a long wait, but it looks like things are finally coming together.

The centre was supposed to reopen last January, but things got complicated. Contractors had to strip off the RAAC panels, and the building was left exposed to the weather, causing a lot of damage. New contractors were brought in to fix the mess.

At a recent meeting, Councillor Willie Boyle asked about the extra costs from the delay. The property manager, David Baird, said they’re still waiting for the final accounts, but they should have them soon. They’re also working hard to tidy up the remaining issues.

It turns out that what started as a simple roof replacement turned into a major refurbishment, which could end up costing millions. A firm that got a £2 million contract was supposed to finish by January 2024, but they needed more money to speed things up.

Some folks are saying the Lanthorn has become a money pit for the council. A source mentioned that it feels like a waste of money, with work being done in a confusing way. They stripped the roof and didn’t make it watertight, leading to water damage.

Now, it looks like the centre might need a complete overhaul, and it could cost around £4 million. It’s been a wild ride, but at least the community can finally enjoy the centre again.

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency funded by the BBC and works with local news organizations.