Praise for team’s commitment to pavillion

A football club responsible for running a sports pavilion in Renfrew have been praised for their “commitment”to improving the facility, writes Jack Thomson, Local Democracy Reporter.

Renfrew Victoria Youth Football Club secured a long-term lease for Kirklandneuk Pavilion and playing fields in Ness Road at the end of last year.

The Vics, as they are known locally, were awarded £50,000 in council funding last summer for their plans to regenerate the pavilion.

Club chairman Stuart Wild spoke at the time of their ambition to create a facility the community could take pride in.

It has since been revealed they have been awarded a further £4,403 for green space improvements which SNP councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, a representative for Renfrew North and Braehead, said included a“wildlife and wildflower space”.

Councillor Hughes told Tuesday’s communities and housing policy board:“I just wanted to welcome the allocation of funds to Renfrew Vics, who have quite recently, after a long process, taken over the Kirklandneuk playing fields and adjacent pavilion.

“They’ve done loads of work in the area. They improved it even before it belonged to them.

“They showed real commitment to it. They’re now looking to add a bit of a sitting space and wildlife and wildflower space.

“I think that will be a really nice addition to the park, so I’m just really pleased to see that and I was happy to support it.”

The finishing touches to the Vics’ 25-year lease were agreed in November, completing a community asset transfer process dating back to 2019.

It does not apply to the connected community centre, which remains a self-managed facility.

The Vics are responsible for repairs and maintenance and are required to contribute to the costs of maintaining the car park.