East Renfrewshire Council has been awarded £300,000 funding towards an eight-lane swimming pool at the revamped Eastwood Leisure Centre.
The ambitious £56m facility is under construction alongside the existing leisure centre in Giffnock’s Eastwood Park and is expected to open at the end of 2027. It will also include fitness suites, a four-court games hall and a theatre.
The existing leisure centre and theatre will be demolished once the new facility opens.
The National Lottery funding was awarded through sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund.
The swimming facilities will be used by local clubs, community groups and Active Schools and the council will also work with Scottish Swimming.
Forbes Dunlop, chief executive officer of sportscotland, said: “The impact of the sportscotland Sport Facilities Fund cannot be overstated. Without that investment, and the investment and commitment of our local and national partners, Scotland’s sporting infrastructure would look very different today.
“We know the life-changing benefits sport brings to individuals, and the integral role it plays in communities across Scotland. I’d like to thank the people involved in the 16 projects given funding in this round of awards including East Renfrewshire Council, they’ve shown a real commitment to ensuring sporting opportunities are protected and increased in the area.”
The East Renfrewshire project is one of 16 across Scotland sharing almost £2.4 million in the latest funding round.
Sportscotland has also announced that the Sport Facilities Fund will double in value for the next two years. A total of £10 million will be available during that period.
Sports Minister Maree Todd said: “This represents a significant milestone for sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund, and will deliver meaningful benefits for local communities across Scotland.
“These investments are a testament to the vision and determination of the people behind these projects, who are working collaboratively to create and improve the places where people come together to take part in sport and physical activity. By improving local facilities and widening access to participation, particularly for underrepresented groups and communities facing the greatest barriers, these projects will help ensure that more people can lead active, healthy lives.”
Since 2002, the fund has supported 839 projects with awards totalling more than £122 million.
When funding from other local and national partners is included, the projects have received almost £900 million in investment.
Photo credit: Stallan-Brand