Everything you need to know about new multi-million pound East Kilbride football and leisure facility

South Lanarkshire councillors have approved controversial plans for a major new community football and leisure facility in East Kilbride.

After prolonged discussions, the council’s planning committee have voted in favour of East Kilbride Community Trust’s (EKCT) proposal to construct a two-storey building at K-Park Training Academy within the grounds of Calderglen Country Park.

Councillors have given the go-ahead to the multi-million pound project that will see the existing five-a-side pitches adjacent to the main pitch make way for new state-of-the-art facilities, despite local authority officials recommending refusal.

Here is everything you need to know about the major development project:

What will be included in the new East Kilbride facility?

K-Park is currently home to the town’s senior football team, which won the SPFL League Two title last season and is now preparing for life in Scottish football’s third-tier.

EKCT has spent five years and secured £1.6million to build the new community sports hub, which will include upgraded changing facilities, a fitness suite, functions rooms, meeting rooms and café, making for a more vibrant venue in the coming months.

A timescale has yet to be confirmed regarding the completion of the works, but construction is expected to begin once all necessary planning conditions and technical requirements have been discharged.

The building will rise to 15.6 meters at its highest point, with a large canopy extending out towards the pitch. The development will also have 103 parking spaces, while providing a further 67 spaces within its boundary.

Why has it taken so long for plans to be approved for K-Park?

Backed by local hero and Rangers legend Ally McCoist, plans were originally approved back in 2016 to build a custom-built stadium in Langlands.

However, the club’s failure to achieve promotion from the Lowland League at the time, couple with rising construction costs post-Covid saw those plans scrapped in favour of an upgrade to the existing facility.

EK’s Community Trust’s application attracted 16 letters of objection from local residents, with concerns ranging from traffic congestion and insufficient parking to the impact on wildlife and biodiversity, and the scale of a large building within a country park.

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture also argued that the application could place additional pressure on existing park facilities and parking infrastructure.

In a council planning report published by executive director of community and enterprise resources, Kevin Carr, officers also underlined that the bus stops near the park entrance are not actually served by any bus routes - meaning anyone planning on visiting the facility would need to take other modes of transport there.

Carr states: “The development does not align with the wider objectives in the Calderglen Country Park Masterplan (approved last October), would introduce a use that conflicts with the sit’s designation as a country park, would form a large and obstructive building in the wider park setting, and would generate significant additional traffic without sufficient parking provision.”

What have local councillors said about plans for the new East Kilbride facility?

Councillors were persuaded that the proposal would deliver long-term community benefits and strengthen the town’s sporting infrastructure, outweighing the planning concerns.

Reacting to last week’s council’s vote, East Kilbride MP Joani Reid - who sent a letter of support to South Lanarkshire council during the consultation process - posted on Facebook: “I am delighted that planning permission has been approved for the K-Park Training Academy. This is a significant step forward for a project that will deliver real benefits for people across East Kilbride and the surrounding area.

“K-Park already plays a vital role in our community providing opportunities for people of all ages to participate in sport, stay active, and connect with others. The new development will build on that success by creating modern facilities, including new changing rooms, a fitness suite, café and flexible community spaces.

“This investment is about much more than bricks and mortar. It is about creating opportunities, improving health and well being, and ensuring community groups have access to facilities they can be proud of.

“I look forward to seeing this exciting project progress and the positive impact it will have on our community for generations to come.”

What has East Kilbride boss, Michael Kennedy said about the new facility?

Speaking to the East Kilbride News, first-team boss Michael Kennedy welcomed the council’s decision to approve an upgrade to their home ground.

“There are two sides to it,” he stated. “There will obviously be an increased footfall, which will help in terms of income. There are a lot of big clubs in the league this season when you look at the likes of Hamilton Accies, Airdrie and Ross County who carry big supports for this level.

“But it is also about improving the infrastructure at the ground. It allows us to have more matchday hospitality, proper gym facilities on site, a canteen. There are lots of benefits for us as a club and the community.

“The long-term plan for the club was to have our own stadium when we got to a certain point in our journey, but we have probably arrived a lot quicker than we expected so it is good to have a solution, short term.”