Lochgelly Centre history
The Lochgelly Centre opened in 1976 to serve the mining communities of Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath and Benarty. From the start it was designed as a multi-purpose cultural hub — bringing performance, learning, a library and community space together under one roof.
Built for a community in change
Fife’s central coalfield was going through immense change in the 1970s as the deep pits wound down. The Lochgelly Centre was built in 1976 as one of Scotland’s first purpose-built community arts centres: a place to gather, learn, perform and watch, free at the point of use wherever possible.
The Jennie Lee Library
The centre’s library is named after Lochgelly-born Jennie Lee (1904–1988) — a Labour MP, co-founder of the Open University and the first United Kingdom Minister for the Arts. Her championing of access to education and culture for working people runs through everything the centre still tries to do.
Modern extensions, community core
Modernisation over the years has added the bright, glass-fronted library and café spaces, the Musical Instrument Library, a studio theatre, craft rooms, a community gallery, a sports hall and flexible meeting spaces — without losing the friendly community feel the centre was built on.
Visit us today
Lochgelly Centre is open all year round with a full programme of theatre, cinema, live music and community events.