The partnership between East Dunbartonshire Council and Kirkintilloch Rob Roy has taken a step forward with the Council accepting, in principle, a lease offer from the Club to manage and operate the brand new Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex.
Subject to successful talks between the two, the lease will bring security for the 142 year old club for another quarter of a century as well as bringing benefits for the wider community.
The Sports Complex is planned for the site to the west of Park Burn in Kirkintilloch and will include a floodlit, all-weather football pitch, changing facilities, spectator stand and car parking. It is currently at the pre-construction phase with contractor discussions on-going to take the development forward.
When complete, the facility will be managed and operated by Kirkintilloch Rob Roy and will be the club's home for competitive matches and training purposes.
Joint Council Leader, Vaughan Moody, welcomed the milestone and said, "This is great news for Kirkintilloch and I am hopeful that talks will progress smoothly towards a positive outcome. Local people will benefit as the lease includes a commitment from Rob Roy to deliver a number of community benefits to promote the link between participation in sports and wellbeing through a programme of community events and activities."
Council Officers and club representatives will now progress discussions to agree heads of terms for the lease.
Councillor Andrew Polson, Joint Leader of the Council added, “The Club has a proud local history and this partnership with the Council could see its future secured for the next 25 years in a wonderful new home. It is an exciting development for the town, bringing modern facilities that will benefit Rob Roy, their supporters and the wider community. I look forward to the next stage."
Neil Anderson Chairman of Rob Roy Kirkintilloch, said, "There have been many challenges to be overcome to reach this stage and we are well prepared for a few more before the project is concluded. However, I would like to thank everyone who has helped get us to this point and I am grateful for their support. I look forward to bringing Rob Roy FC home to Kirkintilloch.”