Two communities in Scotland are set to benefit from £2m of funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

Cadder, in Glasgow, and Johnstonebridge, Dumfries and Galloway, have been awarded monies from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland's Growing Community Assets scheme which will go towards creating some much-needed community facilities.

A grant of £1.1m has been awarded to Cadder Housing Association Limited. This will allow the group to build a new community centre, offer better services and increase its opportunities for the local community. An existing, but derelict, sports barn will be demolished and a new centre constructed in its place. An existing small community centre on the site will be also refurbished to be used as the group's offices.

In Dumfries and Galloway, the Johnstonebridge Centre and Community Development Trust will use their grant of £1.05m to build a new community hub adjacent to the village primary school. A multi-use games area, play park, planned bowling green and tennis court will help create a complex of facilities to serve the village. The hub will also include an existing Post Office, a new convenience shop, a commercial kitchen, function hall and a room with access to a secure outside area for pre-school care and a youth club.


Welcoming the funding, Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said: "Our Growing Community Assets fund enables local communities to have more control and influence over their own future. Today we are announcing a total of £2,243,117 for Cadder Housing Association and Johnstonebridge Centre and Community Development Trust which will allow them to create amenities that will benefit their communities through increased social and economic opportunities."

Linda Brown, Chairperson of Cadder Housing Association, said: "This is a major milestone in securing the funding for our new centre and we would like to thank Big Lottery Fund Scotland and all our other funders for their commitment to this project.

"The design of the new centre recognises the needs, wants and aspirations of local residents and it is a fantastic effort by our committee, staff, consultants and partners to get us to this stage."

Fred Dale, Chair of Johnstonebridge Centre and Community Development Trust, commented: "It has taken our breath away receiving the Growing Community Assets grant. And it is very timely, as the present village hall closes in November so the funding will help save valuable community assets including the Post Office.

"Today's award will enable us to achieve what we thought was an impossible dream and make the new facility work for all local residents and friends beyond. The new community hub will provide a modern, fit for purpose facility with employment and social interaction opportunities that the whole community can take advantage of."

(JP/CD)