THE co-ordinator of plans to breathe new life into the centre of Clydebank says the group is determined to step up the pace as soon as the pandemic permits.

Clydebank Can hopes to bring more arts and leisure activities to the area, improve health and wellbeing, and increase social and economic activity in the town.

The centrepiece of its plans is a brand new activity centre which it’s hoped will be built near the bandstand in Three Queens Square.

It’s hoped the centre, once built, will open the door to a town centre meeting place, kayaking and canoeing on the Forth and Clyde Canal, bike hire and more.

And while the proposed new facility is a while away yet, work has already begun with community groups such as YSortit, Centre 81 and Awestruck Academy on taking the plans from the drawing board to reality.

The latest update comes three years after a series of workshops were held asking Bankies what they want from the centre of their town.

Fiona Clark, coordinator for Clydebank Can, told the Post: “One of the things that was highlighted in the workshops is that the canal and the bandstand area isn’t being used in a way that maximises its potential.

“Before the pandemic hit, we had hoped to be able to get a public entertainment licence and try and facilitate opportunities for people to come up and perform or do stand-up comedy.

“We also wanted to have more street vendors and street food to bring a bit more activity into the area.

“We’re still hoping to achieve these things, but it’s very difficult because at the moment we can’t do anything that encourages people to gather.

“We want to connect people and make them more aware of opportunities in Clydebank.

“We’ve got funding for an online art activity and a photography club.

“For young people, there are also music lessons and outdoor activities so there is still a lot happening that people can sign up to for free.

“On the website, we have an online directory and there are more than 200 local organisations listed there.

“There’s nothing like that around at the moment so hopefully it will be a really valuable resource for people in the area.”

The project has attracted £747,000 from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

Fiona added: “We want small-scale community-led activity to be a catalyst for changing things and making Clydebank more socially active.

“We also want to see this part of the canal and the bandstand come to life.

“In addition, we want to create a development trust so that we can access more funding for community projects in Clydebank.

“If organisations come together and identify needs, then we can apply for funding and get the people of Clydebank more involved.”

Councillor Iain McLaren, West Dunbartonshire Council’s convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, said: “The additional footfall the creation of this activity centre will bring to the area, including the town centre, will be of great benefit to local shops and businesses.

“It will also be brilliant to see residents have the opportunity to make use of their surroundings.

“I look forward to seeing further plans for the project as it progresses.”

To find out more about Clydebank Can’s proposals for the town centre, visit clydebankcan.com.