SOUTH of Scotland Enterprise has welcomed the start of works on the Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels regeneration project.
It will see a former primary school converted into a community and activity centre.
The £7.8million project is being led by community group Dalbeattie Community Initiative, with the site anticipated to open in 2026.
SOSE approved a grant of £700,000 earlier this year to help complete the funding for the project, and has also provided advice and guidance.
Chief executive Jane Morrison-Ross said: “One of the priorities for SOSE is to support vibrant, resilient and enterprising communities to help tackle the economic and social challenges we face, and help our region to flourish.
“We believe Dalbeattie Community Initiative’s ambitious Rock and Wheels project will do exactly that.
“It will bring a disused building back into use to provide significant education, training, employment and tourism opportunities, as well as health and wellbeing benefits for the local community.
“We supported 43 similarly ambitious community enterprises and charities in 2023/2024 with financial and non-financial assistance, with our Enterprising Communities team always available to help groups who want to make a difference in their local area.”
SOSE community development advisor Rowan Lloyd added: “It is wonderful to see work get underway on the Dalbeattie Rock and Wheels project which will provide many benefits for the local community.
“It has been fantastic to work with such an ambitious community group and I look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”
