The former Red Cross Hall in Helensburgh is expected to be up and running as a community hub by the summer, a report has revealed.
The East Princes Street building was the subject of a successful community buy-out, completed shortly before Christmas, after the charity announced in April 2019 that it was putting the property up for sale.
The community group which now owns the building received part of Argyll and Bute Council's share of the Scottish Government's Town Centre Fund grant scheme.
Funding from the scheme has also been used to carry out a range of amenity projects around Helensburgh and Lomond, details of which will go before the council's environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday, March 4.
READ MORE: Helensburgh community hub's handover is completed – after almost two years of work
Other schemes include the installation of a new interpretation board at Helensburgh pier as part of the Clyde Sea Lochs Trail, repairs to the wooden section of the pier itself, refurbishment of a glasshouse at Hermitage Park, and the creation of a multi-use games area and eight new car parking spaces at the Howie Park in Rosneath.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said in relation to the £85,000 grant to cover the pier repairs and the plaque: “Works have improved safe access to the wooden pier by creating a continuous level surface and installation of a guardrail.
“Necessary structural repairs and replacements of damaged cope, intercostal beam and deck bearers were also undertaken.
“The plinth and plaque for the interpretation board will match, and form part of, the Clyde Sea Lochs Trail.”
The work at Hermitage Park also includes a new potting shed and mobile staging equipment.
Ms Flanagan said: “The community garden has been enhanced with a new potting shed and refurbished glasshouse, and events in the park will be able to utilise a mobile staging kit.”
The report also states that Helensburgh Community Hall Ltd will use the grant for repairs to their new hub on East Princes Street as part of a £200,000 project.
It also says that the process is expected to be complete by the end of July.
The procurement process for the multi-use games area at Howie Park is on track to be complete by March 31, and has been facilitated by £90,000 from the council fund.
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