Work has gotten underway on a new adventure centre beside the Forth and Clyde Canal.

The Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre will soon start to take shape in East Dunbartonshire, providing options for canoeing, kayaking, cycling and more.

It will also act as a facility for education, training and voluntary opportunities, aiming at promoting regeneration and reducing disadvantage in the area.

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External funding support has come from the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and sportscotland.

Preparatory work has begun under the supervision of main contractor Morgan Sindall, with the project expected to fully launch in the coming weeks.

Council leader, Councillor Gordan Low, said: "It's great to see people on the site, preparing to turn plans into reality.

"When it's complete, Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre will provide opportunities for a wide range of ages and abilities – for residents of the village and East Dunbartonshire.

"This previously derelict piece of land will become home to an innovative facility with community involvement at its heart.

"I look forward to seeing it progress in the coming months."

The initiative involved collaboration with Twechar Community Action (TCA), which manages Twechar Healthy Living & Enterprise Centre and played a central part in Twechar's transformation over the past two decades.

A marketing exercise during summer 2021 nominated TCA as the proposed tenant.

Sandra Sutton, TCA's company secretary, said: "We're delighted to see activity on-site – the culmination of many years of work and determination, beginning initially with our own Twechar Youth Group.

"Exciting times are ahead."

Approved for planning in March and forming part of East Dunbartonshire Council's Capital Programme for 2024/2025, the development is projected to cost just over £5.6 million, over half of which is externally funded.

Stuart Parker, managing director of Morgan Sindall Construction Scotland, said: "We are extremely proud to commence work on Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre, which is the second leisure facility that we'll deliver for East Dunbartonshire Council via the SCAPE Scotland framework.

"As we begin work over the coming weeks, the previously derelict site will be transformed into a local hub for the whole local community to enjoy."

Engineering, procurement, and construction company AtkinsRéalis will also partner with the council on the project.