£3million investment in Renfrewshire community centres

Some £3million is being spent upgrading and improving six Renfrewshire community centres over the next 12 months.

The programme starts on Monday 12 September at Johnstone Castle Community Centre. The centre will be closed for around 10 weeks during its refurbishment.

Cargill Hall, Foxbar, Gallowhill, Glenburn and Ralston Community Centres are all in line for major work under the programme.

Specific proposals are being drawn up for each building but the work is likely to include: repairing or replacing the roof; re-rendering external walls; replacing the windows; redecorating; replacing floor coverings, ceilings, toilets and sinks; re-wiring; new lighting and the replacement of under floor heating with more efficient systems.

Councillor Jim Harte, Chair of Renfrewshire Leisure Limited, said, “Across Renfrewshire millions of pounds are being spent on regeneration projects and new affordable housing.

“This refurbishment programme is a major cash injection into local facilities which provide services directly to their communities and are often run by those same communities. This investment will make our community centres more attractive for users and extend the buildings’ lives into the 2030s.

“It’s also good news that some of the works will be carried out by council’s own Building Services, a team which is developing a deserved reputation for delivering high-quality work, on time and on budget.

“This project has seen employees from across the council working with Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd to make sure that the cash available generates the biggest benefit for local communities.”

Renfrewshire Leisure Limited (RLL) manages Renfrewshire Council’s indoor sports centres and swimming pools. In July 2015 RLL also took over the management of town halls, libraries and museums.