Grangemouth Stadium given lifeline under new lease deal

Grangemouth Stadium will be taken over by a newly-formed trust after Falkirk councillors agreed to lease it for a £1 peppercorn rent.

The venue is used by local clubs and hosts regional, national and international events, and is also a training facility for competitors in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Falkirk Council said it could not afford the stadium's annual £550,000 maintenance costs and has been working with Scottish Athletics to find a way to save the facility.

It is hoped the lease to Grangemouth Community Sports Trust (GCST) will be a stepping stone to a formal community asset transfer, which would see the stadium leaving the council's ownership completely.

Councillors agreed a one-year full repair and insuring licence from 1 June, with the option to extend to a second year if necessary.

Falkirk Council will spend up to £500,000 to support the move to GCST, while £350,000 has been agreed for works to improve the condition of the building.

Up to £120,000 will also be given to help the new group with running costs for the year ahead.

The complex is currently closed and work has started to upgrade the changing rooms.

Groups who use the facilities will continue to have access to the track and field until the new body takes over in June.

The venue is part of Falkirk Council's strategic property review (SPR) which is seeing more than 100 buildings either closing or moving out of council ownership.

Several community halls and Polmont Snowsports Centre have already moved into community ownership or management as part of the SPR, but the size of the stadium has made the transfer more complex.

Prior to the lease agreement, Colin Hutchison, chief executive of Scottish Athletics, said the body had "worked tirelessly" with local clubs and partners to present a solution to Falkirk Council that would enable the stadium to stay open.

He said: "We welcome the proposed financial assistance from Falkirk Council to support GCST and look forward to working with the trust and other partners to secure the stadium's long-term future.

"As the only athletics facility in Falkirk, the stadium plays a crucial role in supporting the local athletics clubs and providing opportunities for local residents to participate in athletics and running.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Kirsty Paterson.