Glasgow approves funding for new mountain bike and activity centre
Glasgow City Council has approved funding of £1 million towards the development of the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike and Activity Centre in Castlemilk.
The aim of the community-driven project is to transform St Martin’s, a Category B listed former church, and derelict adjacent site into a £3.34m facility.
The project which is being led by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and Ardenglen Housing Association, in partnership with the city council and local community, hopes to create a social, cultural and economic hub incorporating a café, shop, bike services and event space.
It is to be developed and delivered in collaboration and in partnership with a range of organisations and aims to create significant economic benefits including jobs and training opportunities for the local area.
Lord Provost Sadie Docherty and Malcolm Cunning, chair of the Cathkin Braes Working Group, visited the site to look at plans by architects Elder and Cannon.
The Lord Provost said: “This is a great opportunity for the people of Glasgow and will bring to the area a fantastic and much needed facility.
“We want to see more Glaswegians get on their bike to an active, healthier lifestyle and this new centre will go a long way to improving the health, well-being and social inclusion of our young people, their families and the local area.
“It is very much a community partnership and the benefits it will bring to the local economy in creating jobs and training opportunities is invaluable.
“It’s another great example of the legacy the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has created.”
The project team from Glasgow Building Preservation Trust will now be focused on fundraising for the project for the next period.