A major step has been taken towards the opening of a new hub for adventure, learning, and community activities in East Dunbartonshire, with construction now complete on the Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

Created on a previously derelict site beside the Forth and Clyde Canal, the centre is poised to become a base for activities such as canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and cycling, alongside providing educational, training, and volunteer opportunities to promote regeneration in the area.

East Dunbartonshire Council secured over £5.6 million for the project, with more than half of the total funding coming from external sources including the Scottish Government (via programmes like Place Based Investment, Regeneration Capital Grant, and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment), sportscotland, and the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund. The site itself is owned by the Council.

Construction has delivered a range of high-quality facilities, including:

• Storage for kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and equipment with direct external access.

• A wetsuit drying area.

• A bike workshop room and storage.

• A large meeting/seminar room designed to be used as two separate spaces.

• A reception area.

• Accessible toilets, showers, lockers, and changing areas.

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• A food/tea preparation area.

• Outdoor seating.

• Car and cycle parking.

• Solar panels on the roof for energy savings and carbon reduction.

• Landscaping and an access road.

The Council has worked closely with Twechar Community Action (TCA), which manages the Twechar Healthy Living & Enterprise Centre and has been instrumental in the transformation of Twechar over the past two decades. Following a marketing exercise in summer 2021, TCA was identified as the proposed tenant, and work is currently underway to finalise the lease. Once the lease is complete, the centre will be equipped, and staff and volunteer training will take place ahead of the public opening, which is hoped to be this summer.

The project received planning approval in March 2024 and is part of East Dunbartonshire Council's Capital Programme.

The centre was designed and delivered through a collaborative partnership involving SCAPE Scotland as the framework procurement route, Morgan Sindall Construction as the main contractor appointed via the SCAPE framework, and AtkinsRéalis, also appointed via SCAPE Scotland, providing project management, cost management, and principal designer services.

Lillian McDowall, Business Development Manager at SCAPE Scotland, commented: "Our goal is to actively support the public sector in the delivery of projects that truly enrich and support local communities, so we’re proud to have been part of this project, which will bring value to the community and lasting benefits to residents for years to come."

Stuart Parker, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Construction in Scotland, said: "It's been great to complete construction works on Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre – it's a fantastic space and when it's open to the public this summer, we're hopeful it will play a key part in improving the health and wellbeing of people in East Dunbartonshire... The centre has brought fresh life to a previously derelict site and will encourage people to get fit and active."

Claire Nelson, Regional Director – Project Management for AtkinsRéalis, added: "I am incredibly proud of our team's accomplishments in delivering the centre. This project not only fosters regeneration in the area, but also embodies the principles of social inclusion, adaptability and educational training. It has been a pleasure to work on such a remarkable initiative and to continue our partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council and SCAPE Scotland."