“A tired-looking, the well-used centre has been transformed! The whole building is Covid-friendly and so much more comfortable and usable. Our Port Staff also hugely appreciate being on-site more regularly to be at the heart of our fishing community.”
Providing a comfortable open-plan space for recreation and training alongside hot showers, the Troon centre is an essential community hub for local fishermen, as Paula Daly, Fishermen’s Mission Area Officer in Troon, explains:
“This updated centre will be such a blessing for fishermen like Gershon. He is one of our migrant fishermen from Ghana. A regular visitor to the Centre, he finds living on a fishing boat can be tough with no real space for basic hygiene or recreation. The new centre provides space to relax, catch up with friends and most importantly access to free wi-fi enabling Gershon to speak to his family at home.”
The newly renovated centre became a reality partly through grant funding from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board. It is hoped the facility will be used 24/7 as needs demand. Ongoing consultation with local skippers and crew will ensure the new centre is utilised to the full.
Paula Daly tells us how delighted she is that the doors have reopened.
“A tired-looking, well-used centre has been transformed! The whole building is Covid-friendly and so much more comfortable and usable. Our Port Staff also hugely appreciate being on-site more regularly to be at the heart of our fishing community.”
