Kilwinning Rangers have been handed a £40,000 boost to set up a youth and community hub at their home ground.
The cash, from North Ayrshire's Community Investment Fund, will transform portable accommodation at Buffs Park into a Youth Zone and office space for small businesses.
This will form a 433 square metre flexible community space to address the capacity issues for youth and other activities in the main clubhouse at the adjoining Kilwinning Sports Club.
A large, fully accessible, multi-functional space will be created through the removal of diving walls, with works also to include a Youth Zone and the construction of toilets.
Affordable office and rental space for small local businesses will help provide sustainability for the club and help to further youth activites.
The total funding awarded is £41,190.
Announcing the news on Twitter yesterday, North Ayrshire Council leader Joe Cullinane said: "I set up the North Ayrshire Community Investment Fund to give communities more power and to support community-led projects that make a big difference. Delighted that my cabinet today approved £40,000+ for @steadythebuffs Youth and Community Hub project"
Kilwinning Rangers manager Chris Strain tweeted his delight, adding: "Key part of the ongoing project is to give to the youth. Hopefully by capturing them in a positive sense; will mean they have less of a mindset to have a detrimental effect on the area. The more we do for them the better our future will be. Positive change from all involved."
