An ambitious £5 million scheme to create an outdoor sports centre in Dalbeattie has cleared a major hurdle.
The Rocks and Wheels project at the town’s former primary school had been stalled by the pandemic for two years.
But the plan is back on track after councillors handed over the building and land to Dalbeattie Community Initiative for £1.
The unanimous finance committee ruling, made on Tuesday, rubber stamped a recommendation by the Stewartry Area Committee.
However, the asset transfer is conditional on the initiative raising the £2.5 million required for the first phase of work.
Ian Wilbur, chairman of the award-winning social enterprise, hailed the Rocks and Wheels steering group for sticking to its task.
He told the News: “I’m very grateful for the hard work of the steering group on the business plan and to the council for giving the initiative the chance to turn this iconic building into a different kind of asset which will bring prosperity to the town for many years to come.
“The £2.5 million condition is something that we wanted put in.
“It means the council are keeping hold of the property until we raise the money. If we don’t manage to raise it we won’t really need the building. And in the interim we won’t have any overheads to pay.”
Mr Wilbur added: “The biggest bit was getting this transfer through. Our target time is two years to raise the money.
“All we have to do now is convince the people who have the money to spend it here. We are aiming to complete the detailed design plan by early 2023.
“That should allow us to start demolishing the newer annexes and begin the capital build by spring 2024 – that’s our target date.”
Once the centre is complete an estimated 23 jobs would be created initially with five of those being apprenticeships for young people.
Depute council leader Rob Davidson, who has backed the project from its inception, said: “I’m delighted the community asset transfer was agreed unanimously.
“This is big step forward for a really ambitious project which I think will be of great benefit to Dalbeattie in the future.”
The old school has lain empty since pupils were transferred to Dalbeattie Learning Campus in 2017.
It was valued at £325,000 but councillors felt that the potential benefits justified the cut-price handover.
The asset transfer also has a clause which ensures the council can reclaim ownership should the use of the building change.
