Lockerbie Squash and Racketball Club has negotiated a deal with Dumfries and Galloway Council to purchase the club’s current base and surrounding land on Glasgow Road for a snip.
At the Lockerbie and Lochmaben sub-committee last week councillors approved the community asset transfer to help the club develop its sporting activities and create more open days and other events.
In their application to the council, Lockerbie Squash and Racketball Club leaders wrote: “The club will maintain regular open days and free events to publicise the club and the sport. Around 150 attended the recent professional squash event.
“Our future aim is to create a sustainable, financially secure club and one that is environmentally friendly, plus having a social and friendly place to enable the community to meet and play a sport.
“The club’s intentions are to build an extension to provide a gym, changing areas and toilets. The existing changing room and showers will be altered to become a small kitchen and dining area for small groups or social event areas.
“These projects are in line with the Lockerbie Vision and the recent audits that show a need for sport and a suitable modern venue to
help people recover from covid and isolation, plus maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“Funding streams are available from Holywood Trust, SportScotland, windfarms, plus the possible use of loans.”
Steven Wylie, council ward officer for Lockerbie and Lochmaben, told the committee: “While supporting the club, they have demonstrated a real drive and enthusiasm in working through all the various areas required for the submission of this community asset transfer.
“The club has been a real joy to work with.”
Council leader Stephen Thompson said he was in favour of the land transfer but asked if there had been proper consultation with the community and if the council would be losing out on regular rental income.
Mr Wylie replied: “Under the current consultation process, we have put out community asset transfer notices which have been displayed since August 10 and are out for a period of eight weeks. That takes us to October 5.
“The locations are Lockerbie Squash (and Racketball) club themselves, Lockerbie Town Hall noticeboard, and the Lockerbie Customer Service Centre in the library.
“However, I’m happy to pick up an action to further discuss the community asset transfer process.”
He added: “There is currently no rental income being charged.”
While the committee members approved the community asset transfer, the decision will still have to be ratified by the council’s finance committee.
