BEARSDEN’S Allander Leisure Centre has secured another accolade after topping the leaderboard in the Leisure and Arts category at the 2024 Glasgow Institute of Architects (GIA) Design Awards.
Judges found the ‘welcoming’ and ‘innovative’ facility ‘seeks to create synergies between sport, culture, learning disabilities, and mental health as a welcoming, user-centric civic building’.
They added, “In a pioneering move, a leisure centre and adult resource centre are brought together to provide a people-focused campus serving the local community.”
The Allander Leisure Centre was built by McLaughlin & Harvey on behalf of East Dunbartonshire Council, with architectural design by Holmes Miller. It was created and opened in phases, with the official ceremony taking place in February this year.
The centre offers a range of sporting and leisure facilities, while also incorporating a support base for adults with learning disabilities – the Allander Resource Centre (ARC). The ARC was recently recognised for Diversity in the Public Sector at The Herald and GenAnalytics 2024 Diversity Awards.
Councillor Gordan Low, leader of the East Dunbartonshire Council, said, “Well done to everyone involved in the project to create the new Allander Leisure Centre. It combines state-of-the-art facilities and stunning design, with people at its heart. I’m pleased it has proven to be so popular with patrons – of all ages and abilities – and industry experts.”
The Allander Leisure Centre was also recently shortlisted for the prestigious, UK-wide Architects’ Journal (AJ) Architecture Awards 2024 – in the Leisure Project category.
Ian Cooney, project director at Holmes Miller, added, “We’re delighted that the Allander continues to be recognised as one of the best design projects in the country. It’s an exemplary model of a community-focused health and wellbeing campus.”
Joanne Hemmings, associate at Holmes Miller, commented, “The GIA Awards are judged by architectural peers so it’s particularly prestigious to be recognised for the Allander – the team is delighted by this accolade.”
Project partners included East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, and the Health and Social Care Partnership. McLaughlin & Harvey was the main contractor, with support from Doig+Smith, Brown + Wallace and planning consultancy Stantec.
