A £2.35m visitor centre at Dams to Darnley Country Park could open early in 2026, after the project moved another step closer.

Plans for the centre include a play area, an outdoor classroom and space for street food trucks.

It is hoped the facility would boost visitor numbers and improve access to green spaces for “a large number of people across East Renfrewshire and Glasgow”.

More than £2m of the cash is coming from the Glasgow City Deal, an over £1bn infrastructure programme funded by both governments.

Last week, the City Region cabinet approved an outline business case for the visitor facilities and the use of £170,000 to take the project forward. 

An official said construction will start in July 2025 and complete in January 2026.

She added: “The site masterplan has changed and evolved over the years to reflect changing circumstances including escalating costs and changing market preferences.

“Rather than constructing a large building with lots of internal facilities requiring staff and maintenance, we are now proposing a similar range of facilities within a more flexible format.”

Initial designs include a visitor centre, ranger’s office, public toilets, a covered seating and teaching area and a play area.

There could also be over 50 car parking spaces, flexible open space/events zone and areas “for food and beverage offering — mobile street food catering trucks”.

East Renfrewshire Council will provide £330,000 towards the scheme.

A report to the City Region cabinet added the centre would “support the ongoing regeneration of one of the City Region’s most deprived communities, Barrhead”.

It stated housebuilding around the country park and the development of a new Balgray rail station, which is set to open in April 2026, present “a unique opportunity”.

“Prior to these developments, the park had relatively few people living nearby, limited public transport access and poor access by road, particularly from the south east,” the report continued.

“These developments have addressed these issues, and the park now has much better access and potential to attract visitors. The Balgray visitor facilities project will improve access to high quality green spaces to a large number of people across East Renfrewshire and Glasgow.

“In particular it will be easily accessible by walking and active travel to people in Barrhead, Newton Mearns, South Nitshill and Darnley. 

“Barrhead, South Nitshill and Darnley are of particular note as they all have high levels of deprivation for which improved access to green spaces will be particularly beneficial.”