The volunteer‑built Universal Hall at the Findhorn Ecovillage has launched a major fundraising drive to raise £100,000 for repairs and improvements aimed at safeguarding the venue for future generations.
Repairs, accessibility and energy upgrades among priorities
Organisers say the hall, built between 1974 and 1983 using natural materials and the labour of hundreds of volunteers, now needs substantial investment. Around £40,000 has already been raised over the past eight months, leaving approximately £60,000 still to find.
The planned works include replacing worn auditorium seating and flooring, improving accessibility to areas of the building that currently do not meet modern standards and installing measures to reduce long‑term running costs through enhanced energy efficiency.
"The Universal Hall is still as vibrant as ever, continuing to inspire audiences, nurture creativity and provide a welcoming home for the arts and community life,"
Lisa Mead, executive director of Ecovillage Findhorn CBS, said the project is about protecting what she describes as an important part of Moray’s cultural heritage. She told InfoRadar the hall needs reinvestment so it can continue serving communities across the region.
Local and international support so far
The Universal Hall has hosted internationally recognised musicians, speakers and ensembles over the last four decades, including the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and artists such as Joan Armatrading and The Waterboys. It has also staged talks by international figures and provided a base for local arts and community events.
Organisers emphasise the hall’s dual role as both a performance space and a community resource, and say the appeal is aimed at ensuring those functions continue in the long term.
- Amount sought: £100,000
- Amount raised to date: c. £40,000
- Amount still required: c. £60,000
- Key aims: replace seating and flooring; improve accessibility; increase energy efficiency
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Construction period | 1974–1983 |
| Built by | Hundreds of volunteers |
| Notable uses | Concerts, talks, community events |
Why the appeal matters locally
The campaign highlights a common challenge for community venues: ageing infrastructure that was not designed to modern accessibility or energy standards. For residents and artists across Moray the Universal Hall represents a rare, versatile space for performances and gatherings. Without investment, organisers warn parts of the building could become increasingly difficult for some visitors to use and more expensive to run.
Those wishing to support the appeal are being asked to consider donations and fundraising activities to help close the remaining funding gap. Organisers say supporters in the UK and overseas have already contributed to the sum raised so far.
Further details about the campaign and how to contribute can be obtained from the Ecovillage Findhorn CBS and the Universal Hall’s own publicity channels.
The appeal is being seen as an opportunity to preserve a distinctive piece of local heritage while improving the hall’s accessibility and environmental performance for the coming decades.
