The multi-million pound Hamilton Ahead Initiative is steaming ahead with several new facilities opening.
The First Leisure-owned Esporta Health & Racquets Centre was officially opened in August by Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon George Robertson MP.
Mr Robertson also took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Palace Grounds' new bowling pavilion and toured the Council-run sports pitches along with Councillor McCabe. Mr Robertson said: "These sports and leisure developments will add to the quality of Hamilton's facilities. This is a big boost for one of Scotland's finest town centres."
"This is the latest project from the Hamilton Ahead Initiative to be close to completion. These new sporting facilities are a great addition to the many leisure centres and clubs already available to the people of South Lanarkshire." - George Robertson, MP
Councillor McCabe said: "We were delighted to show Mr Robertson the latest developments at the Palace Grounds.
About Esporta's opening, Councillor McCabe added: "Esporta is a wonderful addition to the leisure facilities which are already available to the people of Hamilton and surrounding area. We look forward to working with Esporta in this exciting new development. This is stage one of a revolution in leisure facilities in Hamilton Palace grounds." As well as confirming substantial private sector investment within the town centre, Esporta is creating more than 160 full and part time jobs.
The Palace Grounds sports and leisure development is part of the multi-million pound Hamilton Ahead Initiative regeneration programme for the town centre. The bowling club is being built by Jarvis Construction, the bowling greens and football pitches by Land Engineering and the synthetic tennis, basketball, football and rollerball hockey pitches by Lanrec Construction.
Work begins shortly on the construction of Hamilton's latest retail park with up to 600 new jobs being created. Part of the £215 million Hamilton Ahead Initiative, the new retail park will bring a number of companies to the Palace Grounds site including Homebase, Comet, Scottish Power, Uno, Pets at Home, World of Leather, Pizza Hut and McDonalds. The site will incorporate 171,000 sq ft of modern retail warehousing set out in an L-shaped pattern around a 900 space car park and will include two 3,500 sq ft fast food outlets. Construction, by developers Gazeley Properties Limited, is due to start soon and the retail park is scheduled to open in July 1999.
Councillor Tom McCabe, leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: "This development represents a major step in the continued regeneration of Hamilton town centre and the South Lanarkshire economy.
"Not only will it bring substantial new retail facilities to Hamilton, but will provide hundreds of new jobs within the area. It will also have the knock-on effect of bringing more people into the town centre, which can only benefit existing businesses." "The retail park will be of the highest design standard and will complement the other projects at the Palace Grounds, including ASDA, Esporta and the new town square."
Funding for the £47 million project was secured with The Equitable Life Assurance Society. Nigel Godfrey, director of Gazeley, said: "We were appointed as preferred developers by South Lanarkshire Council in the face of stiff competition. The quality of the location has shone through and this was an important factor in Equitable Life's decision to fund the development. The legal agreement between South Lanarkshire Council and the developer on this project will go before the Council for homologation this month.
They are not the only good news for the regeneration programme. The new ASDA store opens its doors in November.
Councillor Tom McCabe, leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: "We are delighted ASDA decided to build such a high quality superstore at the Palace Grounds - it will bring 400 new jobs to South Lanarkshire both skilled and unskilled, which we more than welcome, and be a valuable addition to Hamilton's shopping centre.
"This store signifies another step forward in the regeneration of Hamilton town centre through the Hamilton Ahead Initiative."
Stephen Hulance, Hamilton Ahead Initiative Director, said: "Working in partnership with Esporta, ASDA, and other private sector companies, Hamilton Ahead will significantly increase investment in the town, creating both employment and a higher standard of facilities for the people of South Lanarkshire."
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