Foundry attracts top award nominations

The council is a finalist in the Scottish Awards for Quality and Planning 2015 after creating the centre.

The awards are one of the Scottish Government’s most prestigious events.

It is one of a number of awards the council will be hoping to win at the finals in September, two of which are also for Barrhead projects.

The Barrhead South master plan, which outlines proposals including a new train station, and Barrhead Water Works are also among those shortlisted.

There are two further nominations for work done to improve planning processes and guidelines.

The foundry opened to the public in January and was officially opened by HRH the Princess Royal in May.

It has seen the transformation of the former sports centre into a multi-purpose learning, leisure and business centre, right in the heart of the town.

During her visit, the Princess Royal told some of the team behind the project that she had never seen a building that houses so many public amenities, as well as catering for the business sector.

Infrastructure convenor Tony Buchanan, said: “It has been an innovative and groundbreaking project that has brought together a leisure centre, state-of-the-art library, cutting-edge technology, help for people to find jobs, plus access to college and university courses, all under one roof.

“This is a unique centre that is bringing real benefits to residents, while benefiting the town centre at the same time, and that has been recognised with this nomination.”

The foundry project is the final milestone reached in the £100 million council-led regeneration of Barrhead town centre.

This has included the opening of the council HQ in 2003, the first community health and care partnership facility in Scotland in 2011, road improvements, street furniture and landscaping, and working with Asda to bring their new store to Main Street.