Barrhead Foundry has opened following an extensive refurbishment project.

The new multi-million pound facility in East Renfrewshire will provide the local community with a new library, digital hub, enhanced sports facilities, business centre and café. It also offers a members-only area for local businesses, or those looking to start their own business, where they can receive advice and support.

In addition, flexible meeting spaces for community groups and organisations have been created at the facility, as well as a soft play area for children.

While a majority of the work is now complete, the second phase of the scheme has just commenced. This £1.1m project will see work carried out to the car park and landscaping to the front of the building. It is expected to be finished by spring 2015, and will be followed by upgrade work to the sports hall changing areas.

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The whole project is expected to be finished this summer.

Welcoming the opening of Barrhead Foundry, Councillor Tony Buchanan, Convener for Infrastructure and Sustainable Growth at East Renfrewshire Council, said: "At £3.8m we are making a significant investment in Barrhead – the next step in what has been a £100m regeneration journey. The new Barrhead Foundry will be a tremendous asset to the town and a place where people can come to learn, find employment and take control of their futures.

"And benefitting from what is on offer, is not limited by age or ability, it is driven simply by individual aspiration. In every sense it represents a modern take on the traditional local foundry that was an important part of Barrhead's past – re-sizing and re-designing, to create something new, solid and secure for the future."

(JP/MH)