It has been announced that a lease of the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex has been concluded with Kirkintilloch Community Sports Club – a Scottish registered charity which includes representatives from local sports organisations.

The facility was built by Robertson Construction on a previously derelict brownfield site to the west of Park Burn, in the Southbank area of the town.

It was delivered for East Dunbartonshire Council through the Major Works Scotland & Construction Framework provided by SCAPE Scotland.

The complex includes:

• A full-size, artificial 3G sports pitch with floodlighting, which can divide into three seven-a-side pitches
• Main Stand and VIP Stand spectator seating
• Pavilion building, including changing facilities, café space and toilets
• Car parking, including electric car charging points and bike stands.

Andy McLinden, regional managing director at Robertson Construction Central West, said: “This high-quality facility will now be enjoyed by the wider community through sport for all. Having spent considerable time in the community, transforming a brownfield site into an incredible sport complex, we know what it means to have this dedicated space to improve health and wellbeing. We share the delight of East Dunbartonshire Council that the complex has been let to a local community sports club.”

Kirkintilloch Community Sports Club will be operating the facility – including providing a minimum of 100 hours of community benefit every year along with time set aside each week for local school use. There will also be an opportunity for other local sports and community organisations to book the facility.

Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “We’re pleased that we’re now in a position to confirm that the new Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex is leased to a local organisation – Kirkintilloch Community Sports Club.

“Kirkintilloch Community Sports Club will work with local groups and schools and will let out the facility. It has also been agreed that 100 hours each year will be put aside for community benefit and Council services will work alongside Kirkintilloch Community Sports Club to support this.

“Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex represents a significant capital investment by the Council – supported by the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme – which aims to encourage and enable people of all ages to enjoy sport and healthy activities.”

Jim Gilmour, chair of Kirkintilloch Community Sports Club, said, “On behalf of the trustees of the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Club charity, which was set up in 2013, I would like to thank East Dunbartonshire Council and the elected members for their cross-party support while this project was being developed.

“I am pleased to sign this lease for 25 years between the charity and the council. This new sports facility will be run for the benefit of the community, bringing health, wellbeing and economic benefits to the area.

“I am delighted that the wider community of all ages and abilities will benefit. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the charity over the years to make the dream of a new community sports facility in Kirkintilloch come true.”