Central Building Contractors (CBC) is continuing work on the £5.5 million Kirkintilloch Town Hall redevelopment project in East Dunbartonshire.

The scheme, which will turn the building into a centre for heritage, arts, culture and community use, is on schedule for completion in late summer 2017.

Works so far have included:

• Stonework repairs to York Place are almost complete. Work is moving on to Union Street's facade.

• The existing ceiling in the main hall has been removed to allow new works to go ahead, with scaffolding in place until February 2017

• The balcony is being removed and new flooring placed

• The extension has been erected and work is progressing on walls and roofing


• Internal floor slabs have been cast and tanking installed in basement areas

• Re-roofing works on stairs are taking place

• Wall cladding will begin shortly

Further plans include creating ground-floor event space; new entrance, reception and vestibule; first-floor heritage display; new office and community space; and kitchen, store room, toilets and locker room.

Overall, the new extension and restored building will have potential seating capacity for up to 300 people.

CBC Managing Director James McAlpine said: "We are delighted to be progressing the town hall works with the Council, hub West and the design team, and look forward to unveiling the upgraded building to the Kirkintiloch community."

Council Leader Rhondda Geekie added: "Work is progressing well on the rejuvenated Kirkintilloch Town Hall and I am looking forward to it opening in late summer 2017.

"Next year will be a huge one for the historic building and for the wider Masterplan works in Kirkintilloch town centre.

"It's important to bear in mind that although the exterior of the town hall will be retained and refreshed, inside will be very different and specifically designed to be able to accommodate a variety of uses."

(LM)