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The canal-side resource will offer a range of activities including canoeing, kayaking, cycling, climbing and walking.

It will also provide a base for new educational, training and voluntary opportunities – helping to promote regeneration and address disadvantage in the area.

The project has been awarded the cash from the government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, with the Council’s Capital Investment Programme also providing additional support.

The development site is Council-owned and will continue the regeneration of Twechar by bringing a long-vacant site at the canal back into use.

Community involvement has been key to securing funding and will remain at the heart of the project moving forward.

Work has taken place with Twechar Community Action (TCA), which manages Twechar Healthy Living Enterprise Centre.

TCA company secretary Sandra Sutton said: “This is brilliant news. I’m proud to say the idea came initially from Twechar Youth Group - great they have been listened to and the project progressed, with support from the Council.”

As part of the delivery plan, a Project Steering Group will be formed - including representatives from the Council and local community.

It is hoped work can be completed by 2022.

Co-leaders of the council ,Councillor Vaughan Moody and Andrew Polson welcomed the news, saying the fully accessible centre will benefit residents of Twechar and wider schools, as well as a range of public and voluntary sector organisations.

Local SNP MSP Rona Mackay. said: “The Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Training and Education Centre is a fantastic initiative which provides vital support for people across East Dunbartonshire and beyond. I am delighted the SNP Government will be providing this extra funding to tackle inequalities and deliver growth”.