PLANS to transform Johnstone’s disused police station into a health and wellbeing hub have been given the green light by council chiefs.
Active Communities is on a mission to turn the old Quarry Street ‘cop shop’ into a community-led centre which can be used for activities such as exercise and cookery.
And, after the charity received a £200,000 grant from the Scottish Land Fund to buy the building, Renfrewshire Council has now rubber-stamped the plans, which will allow work to get started.
READ MORE: Plane struck by lightning at Glasgow Airport amid weather chaos
It is hoped the charity will be able to move into its new home by the end of this year.
Active Communities started out 15 years ago as a Paisley-based walking and jogging group but has grown to deliver community sport, health and wellbeing classes to hundreds of people each week.
It is currently based across three units in Quarry Street.
The plans for the former police station include space for a hall on the ground floor which could be used for dancing, dining, events, parties and more.
There will also be space for two lounges and a tea and coffee area on the ground floor.
The top floor will include a training suite for fitness, alongside several offices and storage space.
While many of the activities at the centre will be run by Active Communities, there will also be scope for community groups to hire out space for their activities.
Kairos Women’s Space, which is a Johnstone-based group aimed at allowing women to socialise and learn together, is expected to move into the new hub.
Katy Wilson-Scott, Kairos manager, told The Gazette: “It is a great thing for Johnstone because there’s nothing else like this in the town.
“It is a really exciting time and step for us and we are looking forward to being in a much bigger space.
READ MORE: Kairos Women’s Space's move to new Johnstone home will mean boost for women
“We want to engage with even more people.
“It is a community space and we hope to use it to reduce loneliness and isolation.
“The new space will give us more scope to do just that.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here