An indoor bowling club in Coatbridge has been bought by a voluntary group and will be transformed into a new hub for local people.
Cliftonville and Coatdyke Community Group has worked closely with the council, The Development Trust Association for Scotland and the National Lottery to develop a business plan for the regeneration of the building.
Through the Community Asset Transfer scheme and with £190,000 of lottery funding, the group has bought the building and plans to make improvements to it.
When it’s complete, the new hub will offer a range of activities and education opportunities for people of all ages, as well as a café, meeting and events space.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in the Cliftonville and Coatdyke Community Group for their efforts in giving this building a new future for the benefit of the whole community,” said Lizanne McMurrich, Head of Communities.
“The building will become a hub for community activities, bringing together local groups and individuals, and is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the voluntary and public sectors work in partnership.”
Alex Forrest, Chairman of Cliftonville and Coatdyke Community Group, said: “This is a very important time not only for the local community of Cliftonville and Coatdyke but for volunteer groups throughout Airdrie and Coatbridge.
“The purchase of the building will provide a focal point for our community, and the present first class bowling facility will be augmented by a wide range of activities for all the community.
“We would like to thank our partners for helping to make this dream come to fruition: Roslyn Griffith and Douglas Tate (North Lanarkshire Council), Katie Alexander (Scottish Land Fund), Elyn Zang (National Lottery Community Fund) and, most importantly, Lynn Molleson from Community Ownership Support Services. For more information or help please contact us on 01236 428641.”
Community Asset Transfer (CAT) enables communities to manage, lease or own public buildings and transform them into successful community assets for the benefit of local people.