Council loses bid for £19m hub proposals
Council chiefs haven’t ruled out returning with a bid for cash to turn an old police station and neighbouring swimming baths in Renfrew into a thriving community hub.
The local authority found out it was unsuccessful in its application for around £19 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) for the project earlier this year.
The proposals included the creation of a swim centre with enhanced pool facilities, spa and wellness centre, a dance and fitness centre and a relocated library.
The council was told it had submitted a “strong bid” forged upon a “comprehensive and well thought out” engagement process but reservations were expressed about its deliverability – feedback said the timetable for getting contractors on site “appeared ambitious”.
However, if another round of the LUF is made available, officers will consider options in respect of the community hub blueprint and “whether it would be prudent” to make another bid for funding.
The issue was discussed at Tuesday’s economy and regeneration policy board, at which Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes expressed her dismay at the decision to refuse.
The SNP rep for Renfrew North and Braehead said: “I think this is a really disappointing outcome for what is a really exciting project that would rejuvenate two of our heritage buildings and provide a community hub in Renfrew town centre.”
She added that the community was “overwhelmingly supportive” of the plans when they were shared with the public.
“They were really excited about it,” she said. “It’s quite rare that you put in a bid for something and do consultation and get no negative comments about something of this scale and that was the case here.”
Councillor Jamie McGuire, a Labour rep for the same ward, said: “It’s a very detailed report on the Renfrew community hub.
“This is a project I’ve been enthusiastic about for years. It’s a valued asset in Renfrew this police station – very historic. For years, I’ve been calling for this to go to good use.
“It’s such a shame to see it unused in our town centre. This hub of course would bring a variety of community beneficial facilities. It would bring economic, social and health benefits.”
He asked what the council was doing to prepare for a potential third round of funding.
Alasdair Morrison, head of economy and development, said: “We need to wait and see what the UK Government come out with by way of criteria.
“Clearly, we could … put a lot of preparation into preparing bids but until we actually know what the criteria is going to be and what the likelihood of success is for Renfrewshire it becomes quite difficult.”
I think this is a really disappointing outcome for what is a really exciting project...