Diggers move in to start Broxburn development

Mar 12 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Diggers move in to start Broxburn development

WORK has begun on the new multi-million pound sports facility in Broxburn which will serve 650 club members and provide a social hub for the wider community.

Last Friday the heavy machinery moved in to the delight of Broxburn United Sports Club (BUSC) and West Lothian Council who will oversee a new pavilion complex and changing facility based at the site of Albyn Park and Stewartfield Playing Fields.

The exciting new development, which will cost £2.5 million, will be completed by the end of the year and is the culmination of years of hard work by a dedicated group of volunteers, in partnership with West Lothian Council who have invested £1.6m in the project.

BUSC has also worked hard to attract further investment in their new home resulting in a partnership with a number of other organisations.

The new facility will be the first community-led project of its type in West Lothian, and will be managed by BUSC, which caters for around 600 young people on behalf of the council.

The Leader of West Lothian Council, Peter Johnston, got the project moving by cutting the first sod.

He said: “It is fantastic news which I’m sure will be warmly welcomed by everyone in Broxburn.

“The volunteers who worked hard to help secure the new facilities deserve a great deal of credit for making this happen. I applaud their efforts and I’m absolutely delighted that West Lothian Council were able to provide the majority of the funding required and ensure their determination to help their community was rewarded.

“When completed, the new facilities will have a major impact on the delivery of community sport in the Broxburn area, contributing to an increased participation in sport.”

Jim Walker, Executive Councillor for Culture and Leisure, continued: “West Lothian Council is a long-standing advocate of the community club concept and I am delighted that our involvement in the project has made a significant contribution towards turning the dream into reality for the local community.

“I look forward to witnessing the development of the facilities and growth of the club as it makes a significant contribution to the wellbeing of people in Broxburn and the surrounding area.”

Club Secretary Alan Cunningham added: “BUSC has been working tirelessly to ensure that we deliver facilities that would allow us to provide quality sporting opportunities for the people of Broxburn and today marks a very special occasion in our journey towards bringing this project to life.

“Clearly it is not possible to mention everyone who has contributed individually but we could not have achieved our ambitions without the support of West Lothian Council and, in particular, the Council Leader Peter Johnston. We are also grateful to our local MSP Angela Constance.

“It is also important to mention those organisations that agreed to invest in our vision. I would particularly like to mention sportscotland, the Robertson Trust and The Gannochy Trust and apologise to those others who I have not mentioned but who are equally important to the partnership approach we have delivered together.

“I would like to make special mention of PMR Leisure Ltd who have been with us from the beginning of the process and held our hand through the highs and lows which are associated with all projects of this importance.”