PLANS to breathe new life into Johnstone’s old police station have been given a £730,000 boost.
The windfall from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government and the Convention of
Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), means Active Communities can proceed with the final phase of transforming the Quarry Street building into a vibrant community hub.
Susan McDonald, CEO of Active Communities, told The Gazette: “We are absolutely over the moon to receive this news and it means we now have all the funding in place to develop the whole site.
“This specific funding will allow us to create the event space, offices and training suite in the main building.
“We are also looking at plans to develop the portacabins and garages, with ideas around a youth hub and men’s shed.”
It is hoped the majority of the hub will be up and running by April or May next year, with staff and volunteers planning to use the new space for a variety of physical activities and community-led health and wellbeing projects.
Linwood Community Development Trust (LCDT) has also received £400,000 from the RCGF to bring forward the completion of the Mossedge Centre, which will be a multi-purpose facility for use by local people.
Kirsty Flannigan, LCDT manager, said: “Complemented by the existing 3G pitch, the Mossedge Centre will provide a resource for all within the local community, including a purpose-built home for our community-run Roots Shop. Now we see the finishing line in sight and can look forward to the post-pandemic future with confidence, knowing that this project will provide a legacy for present and future generations of the Linwood community.”
A further £527,000 grant from the Town Centre Fund (TCF) has been given to Renfrewshire Council, which will spend the cash on a variety of projects across the area’s town centres.
A council spokesperson said: “We will start work straight away to develop a list of suitable projects, which will go before members for approval.
“The additional funding needs to be spent this financial year, so that could allow us to expand the scope of some of our existing projects in town centres.”
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