Popular watersports centre accelerating towards net zero thanks to government funding

Transformation is afoot in North Lanarkshire thanks to an innovative sustainability project at Strathclyde Country Park’s Watersports Centre.

A sustainability project driven by North Lanarkshire Council’s net zero 2030 ambition has been given a boost thanks to government funding. 

The works were prompted by the need to reduce carbon emissions resulting from the park’s estate and activities. 

The scope of the works includes a building retrofit, redesign and building extension and, once complete, the council expects the project will slash the carbon emissions of the park by a massive 90%, as well as offer benefits to the organisations, families and individuals who use the park.

To support the ambitious scheme, the council has been awarded £2,345,176 in funding through Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund. Funding is delivered by Salix on behalf of the Scottish Government. 

The project aims to redevelop the centre into a ‘net zero hub’, which could host a range of wellbeing activities, including health checks and space for start-up businesses operating in the health and wellbeing sector. 

Councillor Helen Loughran, convener of the environment and climate change committee at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “This innovative project will transform a 1970s building into a modern, energy efficient facility that uses natural resources within the park to provide the power supply.

“The improved facilities will allow more people to enjoy the watersports facilities and the new café, and we’ll see an increase in the number of schools and park users benefiting from the activities available.”

Works will ensure the building is fit with efficient insulation and green energy sources, and will create a new ground floor waterfront café, an improved reception area and changing facilities. There will also be multipurpose bookable spaces, new welcome areas for outdoor education activities and new office and meeting spaces. 

Funding through Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund will cover the first phase of works. This involves rearranging and expanding the internal layout to group heated sections together so they may be insulated to further reduce heat demand.

Additional funding to support the works have also been awarded through the Place Based Investment Program and UK Shared Prosperity Fund, plus more than £9 million in investment provided through the council’s capital programme. 

The council also expects that lessons learned, challenges, opportunities and outcomes through the works will inform future programmes that aim to transform all three country parks they run – Strathclyde, Drumpellier and Palacerigg – across the next ten years. 

Brandon Dillon, client support officer at Salix said: “The works at Strathclyde Country Park Watersports Centre will be an exciting step forward for the council on the route to net zero.

“I look forward to seeing the project come to fruition over the coming months, and so, too, in seeing the positive outcomes this work will have for locals and tourists alike.”

You can find out more about funding schemes delivered by Salix in Scotland on our website.

About Strathclyde Country Park

• The Strathclyde Country Park is an iconic country park that lies on 400 hectares of countryside in the valley of the River Clyde. 
• The park boasts many amenities and attractions including outdoor adventure playgrounds, bike hire, watersports activities, conference facilities and a watersports centre with café. 
• You can find out more about Strathclyde Country Park through the North Lanarkshire Council website. 

About Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund

• Launched in July 2023, Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund made grant funding available for projects to decarbonise heating systems by replacing them with zero direct emissions systems. 
• It also includes funding for retrofit energy efficiency measures to support the overall decarbonisation of heat in buildings. 
• The scheme will deliver funding to successful applicants for projects due to complete by the end of financial year 2024/25. 
• We expect to publish a full list of successful applicants later this spring.
• You can read more about the scheme through our website.