Corporate - Achievements of 2007 and Targets for 2008

Posted on 4 Jan 2008

2007 has been a successful year for Kirkintilloch’s Initiative. After a number of years in the planning phase, 2007 has seen construction work start and new facilities begin to come on stream.

The highlight of the year was undoubtedly the opening of the Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre in July 2007. However, this major project was not the only one to be completed. In early 2007, 15 affordable houses for rent at Waverley Park, Kirkintilloch were completed by a local housing association and letting began with the first house going to a local homeless family. This project was made possible by land provided by KI.

Another milestone was the opening of the KI Project Office in August 2007. This project was a collaborative effort between St Ninian’s Church, KI and East Dunbartonshire Council. The project provides town centre offices and a public display and exhibition area for KI and a day care centre for the Council. This project also provided a way to ensure the maintenance and refurbishment of the Parochial Halls for the Church.

KI expects to continue to deliver projects which encourage economic regeneration in the area during 2008. As with all projects involving statutory consents and decisions in the control of others it is difficult to be precise about timing. However, during 2008 KI expects to be in a position to start work on the Kirkintilloch Link Road and on the Integrated Care Centre. Preparatory work has already started on the Link Road with the diversion of public utility services, tree removal and the treatment of Japanese knotweed. This work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2008. It is hoped that the contract for the main construction work can then be awarded in time to allow work to follow on continuously.

Clearance work on the site of the Integrated Care Centre at Industry Street, Kirkintilloch is expected to start in January 2008. The idea here is to get the site prepared for work with the demolition of buildings. The programme envisages award of the main construction contract before the completion of the preparatory work. This will mean an award of the construction contract in February or March 2008.



At Southbank work has already started on the marina, footbridge and access road. This is a Council contract which is being funded and supported by the East Dunbartonshire Council Development Company and by KI. These infrastructure works are programmed for completion in May 2008.

As these higher profile construction works progress a lot of work will be done in preparing the projects which are to follow.

The design of the Arts and Cultural Centre project, which is to be located adjacent to the new marina, will be progressed to the point where, by the end of 2008, KI should be in a position to let a contract to a Preferred Contractor.

Various land sales should be completed leading to planning applications for new facilities in both the town centre and the areas adjacent to the new Link Road.

A transport masterplan for the area will be progressed in discussion with East Dunbartonshire Council and further proposals for the provision of affordable housing will be brought forward. During 2008 KI expects to know whether the proposals for the refurbishment of Kirkintilloch Town Hall can be funded from grant applications made by the Kirkintilloch Town Hall Preservation Trust.

2008 should be another year of delivery on projects and will also be full of the effort required to ensure that delivery continues into 2009 and beyond.

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