Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre

Sector: Community & Recreation

Budget: £4.8m

Client: East Dunbartonshire Council

Location: Twechar, East Dunbartonshire

Completed: May 2025

Framework: SCAPE Scotland Construction and SCAPE Scotland Consultancy Framework

“Well done to everyone who has worked so hard to complete construction on the new centre. This is a major step towards the facility being made available to people of all ages and abilities in East Dunbartonshire – offering a range of outdoor activities and opportunities, with community involvement at its heart.”

Councillor Gordan Low,

Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council

Twechar Outdoor Pursuit Centre is now an exciting adventure and community hub for everyone in East Dunbartonshire.

Set beside the historic Forth and Clyde Canal on a once-neglected site, this new £4.8 million centre is helping breathe new life into Twechar. The facility will be a vibrant hub for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, cycling, and learning activities.

Delivered through the SCAPE Construction framework for East Dunbartonshire Council by Morgan Sindall Construction and local specialists, and with project management led by AtkinsRéalis via the SCAPE Scotland Consultancy Framework. Managed by the Twechar Community Action Group, the centre will support health, wellbeing, and community connection, playing a key role in Twechar’s regeneration.

Despite planning and utility challenges, the Twechar Outdoor Pursuit Centre was delivered on time and within budget through strong teamwork and smart construction methods.

Using a prefabricated timber frame made locally, the building was assembled in just three weeks and made weather-tight within a month, reducing disruption to the canal-side setting. Careful environmental management protected the historic Forth and Clyde Canal and local wildlife throughout the build.

The finished single-storey centre combines a modern design with its heritage surroundings, while solar panels help cut carbon and running costs for the community.

The Twechar Outdoor Pursuit Centre delivered strong social value by investing in the local community and workforce. Most of the project spend stayed local, with 80% of costs and 71% of subcontractors sourced within 20 miles, giving a real boost to the local economy.

Community engagement was a key focus. Local high school pupils took part in monthly site visits, watching the project grow from an empty field into a completed building while meeting different trades and learning about careers in construction.

The team also supported the wider community by donating iPads to a local elderly IT group, helping improve digital skills and connections. Now run by the Twechar Community Action Group, the centre will deliver lasting benefits and remain firmly rooted in community ownership.

“Our goal is to actively support the public sector in the delivery of projects that truly enrich and support local communities, so we’re proud to have been part of this project, which will bring value to the community and lasting benefits to residents for years to come. We have developed a strong, collaborative relationship with the Council over a number of years through their use of our Construction and Consultancy Frameworks.”

Lillian McDowall,

Business Development Manager – SCAPE Scotland