The community group behind the transformation of a previously run-down village pavilion has been granted an extension to its lease for the facility.

Friends of Howwood Park was applauded for its “marvellous” work at the Pavilion and in the park itself as elected members met to increase its community asset transfer (CAT) lease from 10 to 20 years.

The group has secured more than £118,000 in recent years to completely overhaul a once-dilapidated building and convert it into a flexible and popular space.

Councillor Iain McMillan, Labour group leader and representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, told last week’s CAT sub-committee: “I don’t live too far away from the park, I used to be one of the councillors for Howwood and I saw this grow from a very early stage.

“I think the work they’ve done there, not just in the pavilion but the wider park, has been nothing short of absolutely marvellous, to be perfectly honest with you.

“I think this longer lease would certainly give them a wee bit more stability and maybe come up with more ideas for use of the facility.”

The Pavilion is used by a variety of groups, including the Cubs and Beavers, as well as mindfulness classes, and has hosted birthday parties and table-top and toy sales. It also provides changing facilities for football clubs using the park.

The area around the facility has been spruced up with raised flower beds and picnic tables, while a small book-lending facility has also been created.

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Council leader Iain Nicolson, who is also an SNP representative for Erskine and Inchinnan, said: “It’s a great example of what the Community Empowerment Act can do, what community groups can do with regards to taking on buildings, land and assets, and getting at it and being quite driven about it as well.

“I’m really impressed with the length of funders that they’ve sought as well, outside of the normal suspects, i.e. the council and all that.

“It’s a fantastic project.”

Councillor Andy Doig, an independent representative for the village, recently paid tribute to Friends of Howwood Park for the progress it has made at the Pavilion.

He said last week: “A combination of teamwork and leadership have taken the Howwood Park pavilion from a very forgotten, forlorn and gloomy shell to the modern, bright and friendly space that it is now.”