East Dunbartonshire Council is redeveloping the current Bearsden site as part of a £42.5 million investment - including a new, state-of-the-art sports and leisure complex, as well as a support centre for adults with learning disabilities.

The project is being carried out in phases, with the first - construction of the new Allander Leisure Centre - on track for completion this autumn.

Main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey is co-ordinating, with a range of internal works progressing, including:

• An eight-lane swimming pool and a 20m training pool with movable floor
• Sauna and steam vitality room
• Hydrotherapy pool
• Gym and high & low intensity studios
• State-of-the-art spin room
• Eight-court games hall
• Two squash courts
• Wet and dry changing facilities
• Café.

There will also be a new support facility created for adults with learning disabilities - replacing Kelvinbank Resource Centre in Kirkintilloch - which will include:

• Flexible meeting rooms, quiet spaces and office
• Dementia, rebound, sensory and physiotherapy treatment rooms
• Arts & crafts, dance and music rooms
• State-of-the-art changing rooms
• Kitchen facilities.

The main centre is due to open in autumn 2022, with the final project forecast to be completed by summer 2023. Phase two involves the decommission and demolition of the existing leisure centre, which will temporarily reduce car parking capacity.

Phase three is the construction of a new ‘Sportsdrome’ - including two football pitches and a tennis court - and final car park works.

The council’s joint leaders were given a glimpse of the future taking shape during a site visit, where they also met apprentices learning on the job as part of the project - tying in with Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2022.

Councillor Andrew Polson, joint leader of the council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the new Allander Leisure Centre taking shape. Work is going according to plan and we look forward to the first phase being completed in the autumn. It has been a long road and I want to thank everyone who has helped along the way.”

Councillor Vaughan Moody, joint leader of the council, added: “I’m delighted with the progress that has taken place to create this multi-million pound complex - which will offer leisure and sporting opportunities, as well as support for adults with disabilities. It’s going to be a wonderful asset for Bearsden and East Dunbartonshire.”

McLaughlin & Harvey is the main contractor and architectural design is by Holmes Miller, with support from Doig+Smith, Brown + Wallace and planning consultancy Barton Willmore.

Work has been carried out with partners including East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, and East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

As agreed, McLaughlin & Harvey has carried out a programme of community engagement, including projects with Kelvinbank Resource Centre, Mosshead Primary, Milngavie in Bloom, Douglas Academy and Milngavie FC. The combined social and economic value to the area from the Allander project is £4,462,510.

McLaughlin and Harvey’s frameworks director, Chris Boyle, said: “McLaughlin and Harvey is delighted to be helping the council support local communities around the Allander Leisure Centre. To date our work has provided a legacy of social and economic value of £4.46 million, including 21 new-start apprentices, 65 new-start jobs and 1,214 hours of work placements.

“Our continued work across the East Dunbartonshire Council area through the Scape Framework provides real benefits to communities, helping to deliver jobs for local young people.”