WIREDGOV

Commonwealth Games legacy extended.

Communities in Rutherglen and Dalmarnock are to benefit from a £4.48 million funding boost which will extend the legacy of the Commonwealth Games, First Minister Alex Salmond announced yesterday.

Projects funded are based near 2014 Commonwealth Games venues and Athletes’ Village and include a £4 million investment in safe and attractive pedestrian and cycle routes, as well as schemes to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of people in the area.

The Scottish Government has provided the funding to Clyde Gateway URC to support both the physical regeneration of area and help develop local community organisations.

New pedestrian routes will connect Glasgow’s SMART bridge with new commercial development plots at Shawfield’s National Business District, and South Dalmarnock with public transport at the upgraded Dalmarnock railway station.

These pathways will also enhance and improve the main pedestrian and vehicle routes serving the Commonwealth Games.

The investment will ensure necessary regeneration work is undertaken before the Commonwealth Games begin.

The First Minister made yesterday’s announcement during a visit to the Aspire Church building, which is currently rented by the Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust, which has received £436,000 in funding.

The Trust aims to convert the building from its previous use as a housing office into a community space which will house a range of services and projects including health, IT and employment advice.

Mr Salmond made the visit with the Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Shona Robison, after the Scottish Cabinet’s public referendum Q&A event in Rutherglen.

The First Minister said:

“The impact of the Commonwealth Games will reach across Scotland but the epicentre is here in the Clyde Gateway area. This is why additional funding for community regeneration initiatives in this area are vital.

“The new pedestrian areas will not only let visitors to the Commonwealth Games move easily between venues, they will also provide a lasting legacy in the area, allowing people to get to the new business development areas and the upgraded Dalmarnock railway station.

“Community involvement is essential to the success of regeneration initiatives and the funding going to both the Aspire project and Gateway to Health will provide additional mental and physical health support in the area.

“This Government is absolutely clear about the contribution that regeneration makes to growing our economy and improving the life chances of Scotland’s people.

“All these projects are central to the regeneration of the area and will contribute to the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.”

Neil MacDonald, Chair of Clyde Gateway said:

“It is thanks to the tremendous support provided by our partners and funders that Clyde Gateway has been able to make such impressive progress in recent years.

“The additional funding from the Scottish Government will make a huge difference as it allows us to respond to local wishes and needs and deliver the sort of programmes and activities which will provide a sustainable legacy around the 2014 Games.”

Notes To Editors

Background:

This additional funding brings the total provided by the Scottish Government to Clyde Gateway to £125 million.

Breakdown of funding package– 

Key Routes and Spaces £4m

Funding will support Increasing Economic Activity by creating safe and attractive pedestrian routes that will directly connect the SMART Bridge and commercial development plots at the National Business District at Shawfield, South Lanarkshire, and at South Dalmarnock with public transport at the upgraded Dalmarnock railway station.

It will enhance and improve the main pedestrian and vehicle routes serving Commonwealth Games.

Work will also improve standard paving, surfacing and street furniture on King Street, Rutherglen, between its junctions with Castle Street and Queen Street

Community Capacity Building £486,000

Gateway to Health £50,000

This project addresses long term health inequalities particularly among older males. Funding will provide four additional programmes.

The programmes will be delivered in partnership with the Celtic Football Club and West of Scotland Housing Association in Clyde Gateway’s two most deprived communities. Measurable health improvements including reduction in BMI and improved mental well-being will form part of the overall targets

Aspire Church building £436,000

The £436,000 will be used to carry out a refurbishment of the Aspire building and will provide HnH with increased control over their future as well as enabling the organisation to generate revenue as a key aspect of a self-sustaining business plan which in due course will allow further investment in service provision and delivery tailored to the needs and desires of the local community.

The Aspire is a prominently located B Listed converted church building just a matter of yards from Main Street in Rutherglen. 

For more information on Clyde Gateway please contact Jim Clark on 0141 276 1576/07712750509