Pictured: Artist's impression of the proposed new gym at Bo'ness Academy.
Local people are being invited to help shape the design of new sport and leisure facilities in Bo'ness, Denny and the Braes.
Following approval of a new approach to sport and leisure provision in June this year, Falkirk Council is now looking to gather feedback from the community to help progress proposals for the three locations.
To make it easy for community groups, sports organisations and individuals to give their views, a series of in-person events have been organised and a survey will launch in September.
Come along to an in-person event
The in-person events are aimed at people living near the proposed new facilities as well as groups and organisations who may use the facilities once opened. Outline designs for the new facilities will be on display alongside artists impressions. Council officers will also talk through various options and answer any questions people may have.
Event details:
- Bo’ness: Wednesday, 11 September, from 6pm to 7.30pm, in Bo’ness Academy. This event provides an opportunity to discuss the designs for the new £3.5m community sport and leisure wing to be built at the high school.
- Braes: Wednesday, 25 September, from 6pm to 7.30pm, in Braes High School. This session provides an opportunity to discuss the proposed options for the new facility in Braes.
- Denny: Wednesday, 2 October, from 6pm to 7.30pm, in Denny High School. This session provides an opportunity to discuss the proposed options for the new facility in Denny.
Share your views online
For those unable to attend an in-person event, the council will launch three surveys, one for each location, providing people with an alternative way to share their views. The surveys will include designs and architect flythroughs and/or artists impressions, allowing people to review and comment on the designs.
People will be asked to highlight which areas they plan to use and how often, as well as what is important to them when accessing sport and leisure facilities. They’ll also be asked to suggest potential uses for spaces designated for sport and leisure activities.
The surveys go live on Tuesday, 10 September. Please log in or register on the council’s engagement platform, Participate+, to share your views from that date.
Importance of community feedback
Feedback will be a crucial building block in the decision-making process, alongside budgetary and logistical considerations. The council hopes as many people as possible will attend the events and complete the surveys.
Malcolm Bennie, Director of Place Services said:
"The events and surveys have been designed so people can have an influence on the final designs of sport and leisure facilities planned for their local community. The events provide a way to see the plans first-hand and speak face-to-face with council officers, while the survey makes it easy to feedback thoughts at a time that may be more convenient to people."