New Possilpark community centre axed after plans deemed 'unaffordable'

Plans to construct a new community centre in Possilpark have been dropped in favour of refurbishing an existing building.

Building a new community hub at 130 Denmark Street has proved “unaffordable” with the existing budget.

Now Possilpark People’s Trust and delivery partner HubWest have come up with a new proposal to refurbish and re-purpose the existing building for about £3.56 million.

Cash for the scheme is coming from the council, Scottish Government, and other sources.

A council paper said: “Despite the disappointment of being unable to deliver their aspirational new build community hub, the Trust remains committed to delivering the outcomes contained in the original proposal and believe this remains possible in a refurbished/re-purposed existing building.”

Explaining more about the situation, the local authority report said efforts were made to reduce the cost of the project and find more funding.

It added: “Despite these efforts, the project remained undeliverable within the secured funding available.

“At that point, it was suggested that rather than continue to engineer the original project and look for additional funding, a project should be developed that could be delivered within the available funding.

“This would mean abandoning plans to demolish the existing building and construct a new hub, and focus on refurbishing and re-purposing the existing building.”

The council is planning to contribute £1.4 million to the scheme if councillors approve the award at this week’s City Administration Committee. Other organisations contributing include the Robertson Trust, Garfield Trust and Cloth Workers Fund.

The Scottish Government will contribute £1.5 million.