£500k boost for bid to turn old police station into community hub
A former police station that has lain empty since 2018 is set to be transformed into a community hub thanks to a £500,000 boost.
The building in Johnstone’s Quarry Street will see Active Communities create a well-being hub through funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Active Communities hope that the bumper cash boost will allow them to turn the empty building into a space to help them improve the fitness and well-being of the community.
Starting out 15 years ago as a
Paisley walking and jogging group, Active Communities now delivers physical activity and community sport, health and wellbeing classes to more than 700 people each week right across Renfrewshire.
The project, totalling £567,540, is part of a series of projects funded throughout Renfrewshire.
Plans for the facility also include providing space for women’s initiative Kairos, who provide support to vulnerable women facing social barriers and a men’s shed for men to make social connections and build friendships.
Welcoming the award, Susan McDonald, chief executive officer of Active Communities (Scotland)
Ltd, said: “We are absolutely over the moon as this funding will realise our dream to transform former Johnstone Police Station into a community-led Health and Wellbeing Hub.
“Our local community has worked tirelessly to shape the plans for the project, and we can’t wait to get started on the next phase.
“The building will be a focal point for the whole community not only improving health and wellbeing but helping to reduce loneliness and isolation and providing training and skills development as well as helping to create jobs.
“This news has certainly lifted our spirits, particularly in the current climate, and we can’t thank National Lottery players enough.”
A total of nine groups throughout the area have secured a total of £624,451 of funding made possible by National Lottery players.
National Lottery players raise £ 30million every week for good causes in the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland is currently focusing its funding on those projects that supporting organisations and communities to respond to the challenge of Covid-19.
Across Scotland, 311 projects will receive a cash boost.
The National Lottery Community
Fund’s Scotland chair, Kate Still, said: “These awards, made possible by National Lottery players, recognise the incredible work happening across Scotland to create stronger, more connected communities.
“I am delighted that some of this funding will be used to transform existing buildings into vibrant community hubs that will carry on the strong community spirit that has been so evident in recent t imes.
“National Lottery players can be proud to know that money they raise by buying tickets is continuing to make such a difference.”
Our local community has worked tirelessly to shape plans for the project