There will also be a ground floor café with an outside seating area, improved spaces for outdoor education activities, welcoming foyer and reception, flexible business rooms, conference room, office space, improved public toilets including Changing Spaces facilities and an increased capacity lift to make the building more accessible.

A key element of our regeneration project is to reduce the building’s carbon footprint by at least 80% by retro-fitting super-efficient insulation and generating energy from a heat pump in the loch and from solar panels on the roof.

Increased electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be provided along with better cycle storage and refreshed changing rooms, encouraging active and low carbon travel to the site.

The first stage of work has started to improve the building entrance and access, ahead of the main work within the Watersports Centre building in the autumn. The project is expected to be complete in spring 2027.

To reflect the changes to the building, the council is asking the public to give their views on a new name for the building: take part in the consultation at https://forms.office.com/e/PwEaLjALEW?origin=lprLink 

“The Watersports Centre building has provided a base for activities at the park for 50 years and this transformative project will give it a bright new future,” Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee explains.

“We will reduce its carbon footprint, making the building more efficient and sustainable to run, and provide multi-purpose spaces for community groups and others to use as well as creating spaces for small businesses.”

Ryan Broadley, Managing Director of Linear Design and Construct, who are carrying out the building works, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with North Lanarkshire Council and hub South West on this retrofit project. As a local contractor, it means a lot to be involved in work at Strathclyde Park, a spot that’s close to home and loved by many of our team.”

Tom McEwan, Development Manager at hub South West, who are helping organise the project, said: “This milestone marks the redevelopment of Strathclyde Water Sports Centre. It represents a major investment in community wellbeing, sustainability, and inclusive access to sport.

“At hub South West, we’re proud to collaborate with North Lanarkshire Council and our delivery partners, Linear to breathe new life into this important facility. Reimagining and reusing existing public assets is central to our mission, and this project is a great example of how strategic refurbishment and retrofit can create long-term value for both people and place.”

For more information and updates about the project, visit Strathclyde Watersports Centre Redevelopment Project 2024-2027 | North Lanarkshire Council and follow @nlcpeople and @nlccountryparks on Facebook and X.

The Watersports Centre project is a key part of the council’s Country Parks for the Future programme, which aims to transform all three country parks (Strathclyde, Drumpellier and Palacerigg).