Falkirk Council Transfers Buildings to Community Groups
Falkirk Council has transferred three buildings to community groups, saving the local authority over £86,000 a year in running costs. The buildings will continue to be used by the community, with improvements funded by the council's Enablement Fund.
The three buildings transferred are the Carron Gymnastics Centre, the Carron and Carronshore Community Hall, and the Dawson Park Pavilion. The transfers were supported by members of the council's executive at its meeting on Thursday.
The Carron Gymnastics Centre will transfer full ownership to Stenhousemuir Gymnastics Club for £1, with up to £188,712 from the Enablement Fund for a new roof, solar panels with battery storage, new heating, cooling and lighting controls, and reconfigured changing rooms. The club became a charity as part of its plans to take on the centre and has run it under an interim licence arrangement since October last year.
The Carron and Carronshore Community Hall Management Committee will take on the Carron and Carronshore Community Hall on a 20-year lease at £1 a year. Up to £187,646 from the Enablement Fund will be available for energy efficiency work, including a new heating system, new lighting, insulation and solar panels with battery storage. The committee has run the hall under an interim licence arrangement since October and wants to keep it open as a hub for people of all ages.
The Dawson Park Pavilion will transfer to Grahamston Community Club on a 20-year lease at £1 a year. Up to £18,348 from the Enablement Fund will support work including connecting the building to the mains water supply, new electrics and works to the flooring, gutters and fire door. The club has operated the pavilion under an interim licence arrangement since October 2024 and plans to continue using it as a base for amateur football.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said:
