Work begins on site at Kirkintilloch’s new Leisure Centre

16 Jan 2006

Construction work on Kirkintilloch’s £7.6M leisure centre officially begins today (Monday 16 January 2006). The state-of-the art centre, one of Kirkintilloch’s Initiative (KI) flagship projects, includes a 25 metre six-lane swimming pool, fully equipped gym, sports hall, four external 5 Aside synthetic pitches and all weather tennis courts

The ‘sod cutting’ ceremony took place this morning to mark the beginning of the project with Councillors, Community Representatives, and local schoolchildren in attendance.

Barr Limited, the contractor appointed last year to design and construct the leisure centre, are confident that the wide range of facilities available will appeal to all sections of the community. Barr Unit Director Bill Fraser commented, “We are delighted to have this opportunity to demonstrate Barr’s considerable skills within the sports and leisure market. The Project Team are looking forward to working with the Kirkintilloch Initiative to deliver this prestigious project for the Town."

This development will benefit the local community and surrounding area, by providing a recreation space for both children and adults alike. Sports teams and clubs had to relocate temporarily after the Woodhead Community Centre was closed last year. Residents are looking forward to utilising the first class facilities that will be available at the new centre, when it is completed.

The centre’s six-lane swimming pool will be the main attraction. Local people welcome the return of a pool to the area after having to travel to the surrounding towns, for the past few years to swim in other pools. It will also provide a place for local swimming teams to train and host competitions.

Pete Taylor of the Kirkintilloch & Kilsyth Swimming Team is delighted that this development is taking place: “I think it’s great that such an impressive swimming facility is to be built here in Kirkintilloch. This will really benefit the team, being able to train and compete using all the brand new facilities. I’m looking forward to next year when we can all test out the new pool.”

The leisure centre marks the beginning of a £56million investment in the regeneration of Kirkintilloch. Council Leader and Kirkintilloch’s Initiative board member, John Morrison said: “The Leisure Centre is a great investment for the town and surrounding areas. The convenient location of the centre will mean that residents can enjoy easy access to the latest in sports equipment. We are delighted that the building work has begun, and we can now look forward to the completion next year.”

Community Representative for the Leisure Centre and Vice-Chairman of the Partnership Board, Arun Save commented: “Ever since the old swimming pool was demolished, people have been waiting for its replacement. What we are about to get
is a state of the art leisure centre. The local community will no doubt be very excited to hear that building work has finally begun on this project. Once complete, the facilities that this centre has to offer will be of great benefit to both individuals and families thanks to the planned crèche facilities and wheelchair access throughout.”

Construction work is expected to continue until mid 2007, with the official opening set for Autumn 2007.

Councillor Rhondda Geekie added: “Today marks the beginning of a range of Kirkintilloch Initiative projects. A facility like this will benefit the whole community and is an extremely important asset to the area, for both existing residents and newcomers alike. I look forward to watching the project progress over the next year and a half.”

Carmen McDonald KI Community Representative said: “I am delighted that we are now moving forward with this development and can look to the future, and I am confident that residents will enjoy using the centre, both as a way of keeping fit and having fun.”

Councillor Anne Jarvis and KI board member added: "Leisure centres are becoming the hub of any community and people can not only use them for exercise but also to meet friends and family for a chat over coffee after taking their exercise."