The BIG Build @ Ruby's Yard

The idea

Help us build a large log cabin in Ruby’s Yard - a former boatyard which has been converted into a green space next to the Coventry Canal, Atherstone – where children, young people and families can enjoy and learn about the natural world.

Our Big Build project aims to provide a dry warm indoor facility which can be used by schools, voluntary organisations and local businesses for outdoor recreation, education, workshops water based sports and camping. Without an indoor facility of this kind, this fantastic and unique site can only support occasional outdoor events and organisations that want to use it, have to pay for temporary structures like marquees and porta-loos.

This project has just been awarded £50000 from the EU funded LEADER programme – and many people have already contributed towards our target to raise an additional £12000 towards the total costs of this building.

We are now very close to reaching this target - but we still need your help to get there!

What we'll deliver

Large New Eco Classroom

Canal-side community space for local groups to enjoy the natural world

Why it's a great idea

There is now lots of evidence that spending time in nature can bring huge benefit to both of physical and mental health.

This unique canal side space will create an important asset for people to take a step away from the busyness of modern life, reconnect with the natural world & the history of our canals. It will create an important space to learn new skills, build confidence self esteem whilst understanding the importance of working harmoniously with others.

The installation of this eco classroom is the next big step to create a safe, accessible, inclusive and sustainable community facility which serves local young people, and promotes social interaction and learning.

We need this facility in place so we can open the doors to group bookings, encourage shared use and increase opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation by schools, young people with special needs and other youth organisations serving in Atherstone and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

Steps to get it done

Secure £50k from LEADER Funding

Demolition of Existing Buildings

Preparing the Foundation for the New Classroom

The BIG Build of the New Classroom

Environmental Assessment (planning requirement following the build)

Location

By Ruby's Yard CIC

Our vision is to redevelop this land as an outdoor... Learn More

About

In 2018 , thanks to your generous donations and through EU grant funding, we raised £62,000 for the BIG Build Project. Our plan was to build a multipurpose, log cabin classroom and to convert a former boatyard into a green space next to the Coventry Canal, Atherstone where children, young people and families could enjoy and learn about the natural world. Unfortunately, the builder we chose to construct this classroom told us that there were additional costs – costs, which could not be covered by the original money, you helped us raise. Due to COVID19 and the tight timescale governing our EU grant, we felt unable to bridge this funding gap. We have therefore decided not to go ahead with the BIG BUILD project at the present time. As the Big Build project cannot go ahead, your donation to Space Hive for building this classroom can be returned to you. If you would like to have your pledge returned to you or if you have any further questions, please email [email protected] with the subject line Ruby’s Yard by the 24th of September. In this email please also indicate how much of your pledge you would like returned as based on the below information you may be happy to have your pledge (or part of your pledge) used to support the ongoing work of Ruby’s Yard. If you are happy to leave your donation with Rubys Yard CIC and help develop this site further as a green space for young people, then you don’t need to do anything further. We have not given up on our journey. Sport England have part -funded Rubys Yard CIC to put in DDA compliant toilet facilities and to landscape this site for outdoor recreation, camping and water sports. We would welcome your continued support and will transfer any donations for the BIG BUILD project which are left with us to help build and run these facilities. Whatever you decide, we’ d like once again to thank you all once again for your generosity and your support, which meant that the BIG BUILD project was able to reach its target. The Ruby’s Yard team.

An HUGE Thank you – We did it!! We are delighted to tell you that last night, on Nov 30th 2018, we reached our BIG BUILD crowdfunding target for £11,545. Your contribution, together with £50,000 from the EU LEADER programme, means THE BIG BUILD can now happen. By June 2019 we will have built a large log cabin at Ruby’s Yard for outdoor recreation, education, workshops, water based sports, camping and more… Thanks to you we can now create a dry, warm indoor facility for local people - to be used by schools, voluntary organisations, community groups & local businesses. So from here, having reached this very important milestone in the Ruby’s Yard journey, we will keep you updated on progress and look forward to seeing many of you at future events. We can’t thank you enough, Ruby’s Yard Team www.rubysyard.org.uk