Frustrated by the lack of progress on securing funding for a new community wing, Ragamuffins Toddler and Parent Group and Chagford Youth Club decided to take action to renovate the dilapidated hut themselves.
Secretary of Ragamuffins Dorothy Muir said both groups suffered failing attendances as people were reluctant to come to the gloomy premises which were sited at the school 50 years ago as a 'temporary' building.
'Having obtained permission from Okehampton College, the letting agents, a team of volunteers set about transforming the building, ' she said.
'They repaired damp ceilings, cleaned and repainted floors and walls in bright colours and topped it all with an impressive sea world mural. It now looks a million times better than it did before.'
The building is earmarked to be demolished but because it is not a school building, it cannot be funded through Government education funds.
Community worker Alan King, who is based at the Community Education Office at Okehampton College, said: 'Identifying money from Government sources is impossible because we are not allowed to spend it on this kind of thing. Community buildings are not statutory so we are looking to other pots of funding such as the Lottery or the Community Fund or the Market and Coastal Town Initiative.'
Mr King said the Chagford Education and Leisure Trust was working with user groups including Chagford Primary School and Okehampton College Community Education Office to progress the project.
The youth wing also provides accommodation for the pre-school, school band, French Club and for adult education purposes.
Mr King said there was no other venue for the pre-school in Chagford so this was a very strong argument in favour of keeping a facility at the school grounds.
'The present building is okay for another 18 months but Chagford residents can rest assured we are doing all we can to get this funding,' he said.
The minimum amount of cash needed for a new building would be in the region of £150,000.