A new Trust is to be formed to progress plans that would protect the future of Grant Lodge.
The historic Lodge has been the subject of a long running campaign to restore the former library building on Elgin’s Cooper Park.
A short-life working group was formed to consult and look at a variety of proposals on the future use of the building, which was gifted to the people of Elgin in 1903 but was subsequently abandoned after being badly damaged by fire 100 years later.
Now the campaign group Friends of Grant Lodge say that the conclusion of the working group is that the building should become a community, arts and theatre facility with adjoining cafe/restaurant and small business units.
A spokeswoman said: “To achieve that a more appropriate legal structure will be required in the form of a Company limited by Guarantee and with Charitable Status.
“The trustees of the new Grant Lodge Trust will continue to work with the short-life working group with the aims of the new company being the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science, the advancement of education and the provision of recreational facilities or organising recreational activities.
“In addition to the setting up of Grant Lodge Trust, the working group will be engaging with young people about the identified future use for Grant Lodge along with any ideas they may like to contribute.”
Young people aged 16-24 are being invited to a meeting in the Elgin Youth Cafe on Tuesday, December 2 at 70m to voice any views they have over the future of Grant Lodge.
Meanwhile the working group will continue to discuss outstanding maintenance issues for the building with Moray Council officers.
Meanwhile the Friends of Grant Lodge will hold their Annual General Meeting on November 18 at the Gallery in Elgin Library at 7.30 p.m.
The spokeswoman said: “This is an open meeting and everyone is welcome to attend. The AGM will include an update on the work of the short life working group as well as photographs from the Moray Camera Club’s visit to Grant Lodge.”