New lease of life for historic Elderpark Library
Library refurbishment to transform it into learning and community hub
A historic Elderpark Library in Govan is to benefit from a huge funding boost from the Scottish Government with the assistance of Glasgow City Council.
It will get a new lease of life and a much-needed refurbishment to transform it into a learning and community hub while continuing its 117-year history as a library and iconic local landmark.
News of the £950,000 funding was given this week to Elderpark Housing which will deliver the project in partnership with Glasgow Life.
Glasgow Life is a charity which delivers cultural, sporting and learning activities on behalf of Glasgow City Council.
The money has come from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) – a Scottish Government budget, developed in partnership with COSLA and local authorities such as Glasgow. It has an annual budget of £25 million and aims to provide financial support to projects that will help to deliver large scale improvements to deprived areas. It focuses on projects that engage and involve local communities and those that can demonstrate the ability to deliver sustainable regeneration.
Elderpark library was gifted to Govan by Isabella Elder, wife of Govan industrialist John Elder, whom Elder Park is named after, and sits within the park itself.
Gary Dalziel, Chief Executive of Elderpark Housing, welcomed the development saying it was a significant boost for the local community.
He said: “We are delighted with this news, which will give a new lease of life to a much-loved building that has been an integral part of our community since 1903.
“We are proud to be playing our part in creating a bright new future for Elderpark Library, which preserves our impressive built heritage while continuing to serve a vibrant community.
“We also recognise the essential contribution from the Scottish Government, and we value our partnership with Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council to make this exciting project happen.”
Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm at Glasgow City Council, said: “All of these projects will make a significant contribution to the communities in which they are located, and so this support from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund is very welcome. Projects of this type play an important role in the social and economic life of these areas and are crucial to their regeneration.”
Elderpark Housing has a history of helping to preserve well known Govan landmarks. It is about to move into new offices created within the refurbished Hills Trust School, which brings the building back to life after generations of educating local young people.