THE new £7.3 million Kelty Community Centre was officially opened on Friday by Alex Rowley, MSP.

The children of Kelty and St Joseph’s Primary Schools were also on hand to deliver musical performances as part of the hour long celebratory programme as the magnificent new facility on Main Street was thrown open to the public.

The new Centre offers a range of services to local people including a local office, community centre, library and an extension to Kelty Primary School, bringing two new classrooms and additional toilet facilities to the building, parts of which date back to 1898.

It also houses a sports hall, dance studio, a multi gym, youth club facilities, a music studio for recording, a learning suite and a crèche/after school club.

Additional facilities include a large outdoor football 3G pitch for use by Kelty Hearts the village junior team, the school and the local community.

A memorial stone was also unveiled at the event in memory of David Love who passed away earlier in the year. David was vice-chair of the Kelty Centre Management Committee and had long established links both working and volunteering at the centre over many years.

He was integral to the design and development of the new facility and his family, the Management Committee and the Community Council wanted to mark his considerable efforts in this regard, as well as his immense contributions to the previous Kelty Centre.

Alex Rowley, MSP, has followed the project from day one having been leader of Fife Council when the decision was taken to replace the old facility and he said:"This magnificent new sport and leisure facility is a credit to all the local people who have worked so hard to gain it for the village of Kelty.

"It is also a credit to Fife Council for having the forward vision to create a facility that will serve the local schools and group’s as well whole community and I want to thank everyone who made this possible”.

Mr Rowley added: "The old Centre was something that the community fought hard to get and it did a great job despite not really being fit for purpose and allowed the village to develop a volleyball team playing at the top level and other good sports people.

"But as we moved beyond 2000 its limitations were obvious and the various sports and other groups in the village came together to press for a replacement."

The council was able create a Community Investment Fund which ultimately provided the funding for the Centre and will back other new facilities throughout Fife.

Bryan Poole, the administration's spokesperson for education and young people spent the early part of his role as a youth leader in the old community centre and told the ceremony that the former church building had provided as good facilities as could have been expected from converted premises but the enthusiasm shown by David Love and the other members of the management committee had paid off and it was a major shame that he was not able to see the official opening.

Councillors Ann Bain and Alex Campbell also spoke of the hard work behind the scenes by the volunteers and sports groups and praised their commitment.

Councillor David Ross, leader of Fife Council, gave a comprehensive vote of thanks.

The Kelty Centre building and community centre facilities are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 10pm. The centre is also open on Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm. The local office and library are staffed from 8am to 8pm and access to the library is maintained during centre opening hours.

Residents are welcome to pop in for a look around the centre to see the range of services now on offer under the one roof.