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.

McLaughlin and Harvey is the main contractor and architectural design is from Holmes Miller, with support from planning consultancy Barton Willmore.

It will be a tandem-build construction, with work forecast to be completed by summer 2023. It will be carried out in three phases - allowing the existing Allander Leisure Centre to open for residents, employees and visitors (when pandemic restrictions are lifted):

• Phase 1: Construction of new Allander Leisure and Day Care Centre - proposed to open in autumn 2022
• Phase 2: Decommission and demolition of existing leisure centre
• Phase 3: Construction of a new ‘Sportsdrome’ and final car park works - due to be completed by summer 2023.

Parking will be temporarily restricted due to construction, which is taking place in the northern car park area.

When works are complete, the final parking capacity will be 293 spaces - including parking for people with disabilities, electric vehicles and minibuses, as well as parent/child spaces.

Councillor Andrew Polson, joint leader of the council, said: “A new era really has begun for the Allander, with construction underway on a new, state-of-the-art, multi-million pound complex - including support facilities for adults with learning disabilities.

“I look forward to seeing the Allander Leisure and Day Care Centre take shape, and hope patrons and residents can bear with us while works are carried out. I am pleased that the current Allander will be able to open during construction - when restrictions presently in place due to the pandemic are eased.”

Councillor Vaughan Moody, joint leader of the council, added: “This is brilliant news for East Dunbartonshire, Bearsden and Milngavie - representing a significant capital investment by the council and delivering on a long-cherished dream.

“It has required a huge amount of endeavour to get to this stage, taking into account a wide range of views and working with a range of partners to achieve the best outcome possible. I’d like to pay tribute to everyone involved for their contributions and patience.”

Planning permission was granted in June 2020, subject to completion of a legal agreement and a number of conditions.

The new Allander Leisure and Day Care Centre plans include:

• 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
• ‘Sportsdrome’ - including two football pitches and a tennis court.

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
• Training kitchen for learning.