Sporty schoolkids in Knightswood are on the right track to healthier and fitter lives.

Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and its contractor, Lovell, got the wheels in motion to make sure pupils at St Ninian’s Primary could enjoy new bike sheds in their school playground.

Youngsters at the school now have somewhere safe and secure to keep their bicycles.

The existing sheds in the school playground were given a new lease of life by a team from affordable housing specialists Lovell who spent £10,000 repairing the roofs, installing roller shutters and bricking them up to make them more solid.

And at the same time, GHA donated several thousand pounds to the school to purchase new bikes and put the young people through their cycle proficiency test.

GHA ‘s support for the project is part of its commitment to helping people lead healthier lives.

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GHA’s West Area Director Mags Lightbody said: “At GHA we’re very committed to giving everyone in our communities the opportunity to lead healthier lives.

“Helping the school purchase bikes – and providing somewhere safe to keep them – means more young people can start cycling to school.

“The bike sheds look great and I’m sure the kids will make good use of them.”

Sarah Whyte, Business Development Manager at Lovell, said: “We pride ourselves on building communities and projects such as this are key to the work we do. On behalf of Lovell I would like to express a huge thanks to all our staff and sub contractors for all their help in making this project such a success.”

Bailie Jean McFadden, Glasgow City Council’s Executive Member for Education, said: “Cycling and cycling proficiency are very important skills and should be encouraged in all schools. I am delighted to support this exciting partnership.”

Bill Kidd MSP added: “It’s great that GHA is working with local schools to increase kids’ awareness that cycling is healthy and fun. The shelter is a great idea because bikes are expensive for families and they need to be kept safe.”

The refurbishment of the bike sheds at St Ninian’s Primary is just the latest example of GHA’s local office in Knightswood working with its contractors to benefit local schools.

Over the past few years GHA and its contractors have donated thousands of pounds to St Brendan’s Primary for gym equipment, carried out more than £10,000 worth of improvements to Yoker Primary School and helped Garscadden Primary refurbish one of its classrooms into an IT suite.

(GK/KMcA)