Sports stars of the future will be able to play and train on their home pitches in Inchinnan after Renfrewshire Council approved a Community Asset Transfer of the India Tyres playing fields.
Inchinnan Development Trust (IDT) will now take up a long-term 50-year lease which will see them work in partnership with the local community and St Mirren Youth Football Club.
The two groups will work together to maintain and develop the site as they aim to transform the playing fields into an asset for the whole community.
Proposals include increasing the range of sports uses and activities, rebuilding the pavilion on the site to provide changing facilities, improving the drainage, and investigating the development of an astroturf pitch at the site in the future.
Lacey Lindsay, Inchinnan Development Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our application to Renfrewshire Council for a Community Asset Transfer.
“We are at the very beginning of a five-year plan to preserve and develop the green space into a place for communities to enjoy, thrive, grow, and play and the development will bring opportunities, connectivity, strengthen community, and inspire partnership working.
“IDT is keen to involve anyone and everyone in the process, especially those who live closest to the fields, as everyone doing a little bit helps to achieve a lot.”
St Mirren YFC will continue to train and play at the playing fields as their home ground with hundreds of young people set to benefit.
Stephen Mann, St Mirren YFC Soccer School Lead, said: “On behalf of St Mirren Youth Football Club, I’d like to congratulate the Inchinnan Development Trust on securing the India Tyres Playing Fields as a community-use green space for local people and the wider population to enjoy for generations to come.
“We have been looking after ‘The Tyres’ since 2018 at the invitation of Inchinnan Community Council and we are determined this historic site can be developed into a field of dreams, where young people can play there dreaming of playing for Scotland in a World Cup, local people can learn about the history of the site, from its agricultural days, to its aero engineering heritage and for half a century or so – where “the finest Tyres made” were manufactured – all here locally in Inchinnan.
“We are delighted to be part of this community partnership to regenerate a former sports ground into a modern facility and look forward to the challenge ahead in exploring the funding streams to make The Tyres into a field of dreams.”
Renfrewshire Council purchased the playing fields in 2021 with the aim of transferring ownership to a local organisation who would be able to use the playing fields to benefit their community, retain part of the community’s heritage and support healthier, more active lives.
Councillor Michelle Campbell, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “As Convener and a local councillor, I’m delighted that this Community Asset Transfer was approved as it will bring great benefit to the local people of Inchinnan and surrounding areas of Renfrewshire.
“Inchinnan Community Development Trust are a wonderful example of community led organisation making the difference for modernised spaces which serve the recognised needs within the village communities.
“Working with the community to develop our green spaces and create opportunities for young people and adults to play sport and get active is something I’m passionate about and this is a fantastic example of what can be done when the Council works together with local community groups and organisations.
“The proposals that are in place for the development of the playing fields are hugely exciting and I’m looking forward to seeing investment made in this green space over the coming years.”