Work begins on the new £1 million Spartans Youth Workplace building later this year, with T&A providing project management, quantity surveying and principal designer services.

The new 200m2 building will replace the Spartans Youth Community group’s temporary facility currently sited next to Ainslie Park, the home stadium of football club, Spartans FC, in the Pilton area of north Edinburgh.

The innovative project will be one of the most sustainable community facility builds in Scotland, with local labour and responsibly sourced materials used in construction, and photovoltaic solar panels and air source heat pumps systems installed to reduce emissions and fossil fuel energy consumption.

Once opened, the centre will include a kitchen, arts centre and community space where young people can socialise and work together. It will also feature a roof terrace, pool tables and table tennis.

A key part of the development has been engaging with young people in the community to take their needs and wishes on board, alongside youth workers and other local stakeholders who all contributed to the design.

David Young, partner at Thomas & Adamson, said: “This is an exciting project which will be of major benefit to the local community, and set the standard for similar projects across all of Scotland. The new building allows local young people to enjoy a more modern and vibrant environment to socialise, create and enjoy leisure time - all part of Spartans’ ethos for the community, going above and beyond the football team.

“Thomas & Adamson is delighted to be involved in helping bring this new community facility to life, for the benefits to the local community, but also for the sustainable nature of both the construction and the eventual running of the workspace.”

While affiliated to the Scottish Professional Football League Two side Spartans FC, the new Spartans Youth Workplace has been funded by private investment and public grants as a hub for the whole community in the Ainslie Park area to enjoy.

The building work is due to begin in autumn 2023 and is estimated to take 24 weeks.