East Dunbartonshire Council has hosted a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of a multi-million project to transform Lennoxtown High Park in to a community sports complex.

Councillor Paul Ferretti, Convener of East Dunbartonshire Council's Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets Committee, cut the first sod at the event to mark the official start of construction of the £4.3 million sports facility, which is set to run for completion in early 2024.

Councillor Ferretti said: "This is a great milestone for Lennoxtown and represents a major capital investment in the town by the Council.

"An all-weather pitch serving Lennoxtown is something that has been a long-term aspiration for this area and I'm delighted that we are able to help make it a reality.

"Not only is it a positive for local sports clubs, it will also increase access to sporting activities to promote physical and mental wellbeing for the wider community.

"This will be an enhanced community resource for the people of Lennoxtown and the surrounding area to enjoy for many years to come.”

The Council is redeveloping the current High Park site by installing a new all-weather sports pitch and extending the existing changing pavilion to increase capacity.

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The development will see the existing grass playing fields replaced by a single 3G Astroturf pitch to allow for more frequent use throughout the year as opposed to the current restricted use due to weather conditions.

The existing single storey pavilion – which houses two changing rooms, toilet/shower facilities and a bothy used by Council employees – will be extended to create two new changing rooms with toilet/shower facilities as well as an equipment store.

The project will also include:

• Drainage and retention works to alleviate issues with standing surface water.

• Pitch floodlighting

• Spectator standing areas

• Additional car parking

• Cycle parking

The Council is working with a number of partners to deliver this initiative. They include:

• SCAPE Scotland: The framework procurement route through which the contractor is appointed to manage the design and delivery of the new sports complex through their supply chain. SCAPE Scotland is a public sector procurement specialist, dedicated to creating efficiency and social value via the built environment.

• Morgan Sindall: The main contractor, appointed using the SCAPE Scotland Framework, to construct the new community sports complex.

Lillian McDowall, Head of Business Development at SCAPE Scotland said, "We are delighted to be delivering this project along with our partner Morgan Sindall for East Dunbartonshire Council.

"The sports complex will be an important asset for the people of Lennoxtown and East Dunbartonshire and we're honoured to be here for the ground breaking ceremony marking the start of the construction phase.”

Stuart Parker, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Construction Scotland, added: "We are extremely proud to commence work on Lennoxtown High Park which will deliver a brand-new sports facility for local residents to enjoy.

"Throughout the delivery of the new site, we are committed to extending the benefits to the local community through school visits, careers talks, and donations to local community projects, in line with our appointment through the SCAPE Scotland Framework and as part of our Intelligent Solutions approach to enhancing the lives and communities of where we work. A special thanks to everyone who came down today to mark the ground-breaking ceremony and we look forward to delivering the project."

The completed facility will remain under the Council's ownership but will be managed and operated by East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust (EDLC).