SYNERGIES BETWEEN SPORT, RECREATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH
ALLANDER LEISURE CENTRE AND ADULT DAY CARE CENTRE IN BEARSDEN The Allander Leisure Centre had been a recreational hub for over 40 years, hosting countless swimming g alas, football birthday parties, nightly squash challenges, coffee mornings and fetes. For a similarly long time, Kelvinbank Resource Centre had been a home from home for adults with learning challenges, dementia, autism and physical disabilities. The new Allander designed by Holmes Miller seeks to bring these institutions together. It provides a stimulating environment which delivers the totality of experiences necessary to care for people with learning challenges. Allander is at the heart of the Community in Bearsden and Milngavie, serving a population of 100,000. Holmes Miller worked with key stakeholders (East Dunbartonshire Council, East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture, Health & Social Care Partnership) to engage with the local community groups and sporting organisations to shape up a building that satisfies current and future generations – a process that spanned nine months. Planning-wise the site is in a conservation area of Bearsden and is bounded by a new housing development.
Location Bearsden, Scotland, UK Client / operator East Dunbartonshire Council
Architects Holmes Miller Architects www.holmesmiller.com Author Ian Cooney
Official opening 2024 Construction costs GBP 42 million (EUR 49 million)
Photos Holmes Miller + Chris Humphreys
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sb 1/2024