Lochvale House in Georgetown is set for a major transformation into a vibrant, sustainable community and employment hub, thanks to a £1.57 million funding award from the Scottish Government to Dumfries and Galloway Council.

This significant investment ensures that the ambitious £2.8 million project, led by Let's Get Sporty Community Trust in partnership with the Council, has now secured 100% of its required funding.

The project will see a 395m² extension added to the existing Lochvale House facility. The new space will feature a soft play area, a cafe, dedicated training and meeting rooms, and accessible amenities, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all ages within the Georgetown community.

A key focus of the expansion is to double the capacity of the Trust's flagship 'Let's Get Employed Programme', aiming to support up to 120 participants annually with essential training, mentoring, and pathways to employment. This programme is a vital component of the Council's commitment to the Scottish Government's 'Best Start, Bright Futures: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan'. The expanded programme will specifically target communities in Dumfries Central and North West, areas identified among Scotland's most deprived, by providing skills development, confidence building, and structured placements to help people into work.

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Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, welcomed the news: "We are delighted with the news that this significant project in Georgetown, Dumfries has been awarded such a substantial amount of money from Scottish Government in recognition of its value to the local community. This achievement is a testament to the power of partnership, community vision, and long-term investment in local infrastructure."

Councillor Jackie McCamon, Vice Chair of the committee, added: "This is fantastic news. Our council actively promotes Community Asset Transfers for this very reason – to provide ownership to local community groups of significant local buildings, to safeguard them for the future, and to provide opportunities and venues to address local requirements. In addition, the employment pathways will provide a welcome boost to the local economy. This is good news all round."

The Chair of the Let's Get Sporty Community Trust expressed excitement: "We are excited with the news that the council has secured the £1.57 million funding for us. This marks a historic point in our journey, because as a result we have now achieved 100% of the £2.8 million we need to expand the services we offer and ensure that Lochvale House remains a vital community asset for generations to come. I would like to thank our key partners – Dumfries and Galloway Council, Holywood Trust and South of Scotland Enterprise with all their help and support. Without them and our other funders, none of this would have been possible. This achievement reflects the power of partnership and shared vision in building stronger, more resilient communities."

The total project cost of £2.8 million includes capital works and professional fees. Previous funding contributions came from South of Scotland Enterprise, Holywood Trust, and Dumfries and Galloway Council's Community Led Economic Regeneration Framework. Let's Get Sporty Community Trust is acting as the Council's delivery partner for the project, which will be executed through its sister organisation, Let's Get Sporty Community Interest Company, in collaboration with over 15 public and third sector partners, including NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Skills Development Scotland, and Dumfries and Galloway College.