A project to create an outdoor sports centre in Dalbeattie is set to form part of a council bid to secure millions of pounds of government cash.
The Rocks and Wheels development is one of a number of schemes the local authority feels would benefit from the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund which aims to prioritise investment in “areas of low productivity and connectivity”.
Councillors will be asked to approve the choice of projects next week.
A report for Tuesday’s full council meeting reveals the council can submit up to three bids for cash from the Levelling Up fund – one for each Westminster constituency and one related to transport.
It is proposed that the Rocks and Wheels project is part of the Dumfries and Galloway constituency bid.
Dalbeattie Community Initiative is working on transforming the old primary school into an outdoor centre based around cycling, as well as other activities such as running, walking and climbing.
The report states the project would create 23 full-time jobs at Rocks and Wheels and indirectly create a further 30.
The project is estimated to cost a total of £6 million and it is planned to bid for £5.4 million in Levelling Up cash.
The focus for the Dumfries and Galloway constituency bid would be on “developing opportunities for outdoor activities, building on the boom in staycations and the increased desire within communities for outdoor activity that occurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
As a result, it is suggested to also bid for £4.6 million for Stranraer Water Sports Hub. Redeveloping Stranraer’s George Hotel, which is estimated to cost £8.7 million, is also included.
The transport-themed bid has three aspects – buying 16 electric buses, improving cycleways as part of a plan to create a coast-to-coast route from Portpatrick to Eyemouth and creating five electric vehicle hubs, one of which would be in Gatehouse.
They would include charging points for cars, bikes and buses and also the necessary infrastructure to hire electric vehicles.
The total cost of the transport proposal is around £14 million.
Each of the three local authorities within the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency is entitled to choose a project as part of a joint bid.
The Dumfries and Galloway option is Annan Harbour Action Group’s regeneration of the town’s harbour with a bid set to be made for £8.6 million of Levelling Up cash.
Councillors will be asked to approve the chosen projects on Tuesday.
