Barrhead Foundry set to open doors in late January

The new £3.8 million Barrhead Foundry – the town’s new jewel in the crown - is on track to open at the end of January!

Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 27 December 2014 12:52

Work on the library, learning and meeting spaces and business centre is expected to complete early in the New Year. And there will be the opportunity to come along and see how you can benefit from the new facilities with an opening week programme of events.

And the second phase of work starting in January will see the car park and landscaping done at the front of the building, with an expected finish date of spring 2015.

Upgrading of the sports hall changing areas and work on the roof will follow in late winter and spring 2015.

The gym will undergo a £200k refurbishment in January and will close from Saturday 3 Jan. It is expected to open again on Wednesday 21 January.

The gym will be kitted out with the latest range of cardio vascular machines including high-tech flat screens with online apps and TV access, and a range of resistance machines. It will also feature a functional training and free weights area.

As a further boost to the town, East Renfrewshire Council has joined forces with the University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland who will work with the council to deliver courses from Barrhead Foundry.

This means for the first time ever there will be a college presence right in the heart of Barrhead.

Barrhead Foundry will also become the base for the council’s Employability service.
And other organisations including Business Gateway will operate from the centre.

Work started on the new state-of-the-art community hub early this year at the existing Barrhead Sports Centre in Main Street.
Major improvements have been made to existing facilities and a substantial two-storey extension has been created at the front with an impressive glass frontage.

It will give local residents access to a first-class library, enhanced sports facilities, digital hub, café, business centre and free wifi. This centre will provide a members own area for local business people or those looking to start their own businesses, where they can also get support and advice.

There will also be flexible meeting spaces for local organisations and community groups, and a soft play area for children.

Once complete, it will, along with Asda which opened in summer 2014, have transformed the face of Barrhead Main Street.

The entire project is expected to be finished in Summer 2015.

The council-led £100 million regeneration programme has also delivered a Barrhead council office and the first CHCP facility in Scotland in the past few years.

Other improvements in the pipeline include developing a business improvement district.

Convener for infrastructure and sustainable growth, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: "At £3.8m we are making a significant investment in Barrhead. The new Barrhead Foundry will be a tremendous asset to the town. We are delighted that we can facilitate a partnership with University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland who will work with the council to deliver courses which local people will benefit from.

"With this wonderful new centre, plus the investment in a new Barrhead High School and the new tennis courts, the council is demonstrating that it is committed 100 per cent to the regeneration of Barrhead and providing the very best facilities for its people."

Convener for community services and community safety, Councillor Mary Montague, said: "This will be an excellent new facility for Barrhead. With improved and enhanced sports facilities, state-of-the-art library, and business and employment help all under one roof, it will be a real community hub."

A spokesperson for University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland said: "For the first time ever there will be a university and college presence right in the heart of Barrhead, with the University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland hoping to deliver courses from Barrhead Foundry."

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