All Go for Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels

This week marks a major step forward for the Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels project with the start of construction works on the former Primary School site. Investment of £7.8 million over the next year will transform the site into a new centre for cycling and bouldering activities along with a range of community and visitor facilities. This milestone is the culmination of years of hard work by Dalbeattie Community Initiative to develop the project to this stage along with the support of a range of funding partners.

Ownership of the site has just passed to Dalbeattie Community Initiative from Dumfries and Galloway Council under the community asset transfer process. The Initiative is leading the Rocks and Wheels project and will establish a subsidiary body to operate the facility on completion of the build stage. Funds generated once the centre is in operation will be invested in the local community. Building work is expected to take just over a year to complete and construction company Ashleigh Limited will be the main contractor with specialist services also enlisted to deliver a new pump track and bouldering facilities.

Chair of the council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said: “The plans have been driven by the views of the local community, many of whom are former pupils or whose families attended the school that has been at the heart of the town for well over a century. It is fitting that the new lease of life being brought to this iconic granite building is based on continued public access, use and enjoyment of the facilities it will have to offer.”

Vice Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon said: “Once up and running, a programme of events and training opportunities will give young people and the unemployed the chance to develop the skills needed to gain paid employment. The Rocks and Wheels project is expected to significantly boost tourism in the local area driving economic growth along with providing health and wellbeing benefits.”

As well as being a valuable resource for local people, the Rocks and Wheels centre complements the 7 Stanes cycle network in Dalbeattie Forest which is already a major draw for visitors to the area. The adjacent facilities will enable engagement by a wide range of people of all ages and abilities with the variety of indoor and outdoor activities that will be on offer. For a town characterised by its distinctive granite buildings and outstanding natural setting Rocks and Wheels seems the perfect way to build on Dalbeattie’s unique assets.

The Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels project is being enabled by funding of £5.2 million from the UK Government with additional contributions from the Scottish Government Place Based Investment Programme, the National Lottery, Dumfries and Galloway Council, South of Scotland Enterprise, Sport Scotland and the Holywood Trust.

ENDS