A group of dancers yesterday became the first to take advantage of the newly-refurbished Elgin Town Hall.
The venue, which has undergone a £1.2million refurbishment, has been home to the Over 50s Dance Club for more than 20 years.
However, along with other local groups, they had to find an alternative venue for their weekly get-togethers during a seven-month shutdown for construction.
The dancers said they were delighted with their revamped surroundings yesterday.
Club spokesman and long-standing member Dave Gurton said they were “glad to be back”.
“The town hall is looking very good,” he said. “It is certainly much brighter and lighter than before.”
The refurbishment programme has focused on energy efficiency and has seen the installation of new windows and new heating, lighting, plumbing, toilets and wiring.
All the internal woodwork – including the floor of the main hall – was also re-treated.
The local dance club, whose members come from as far away as Grantown-on-Spey, Nairn and Huntly, was welcomed back by Moray Council convener, Councillor Stewart Cree.
“The dancers are the first of the user groups to return to the town hall and they appear impressed with the improvements that have been made,” he said.
“The town hall has been Moray’s principal performance venue for more than 50 years and the investment that has been made will only enhance its reputation.”