Ibrox community complex gets boost from £150,000 of government funding

The Ibrox Community Complex is to benefit from a funding boost after the Rangers Charity Foundation won a £150,000 grant to develop facilities at the venue.

The complex, which is situated directly across from Ibrox Stadium, will have it’s full-size synthetic football pitch re-instated with the grant, which is intended to develop grassroots football facilities.

The investment is part of a wider scheme that sees £2m of money spent on football in Scotland by the UK Government.

Rangers Charity Foundation Director, Connal Cochrane, said: “We are delighted to receive this level of support.

“The £150,000 grant will help enormously with the regeneration of this site. Coupled with support from the football club we will transform the Ibrox Community Complex into a modern, revitalised facility with a range of activities and services for the local community.

“The Foundation already has a reputation for running a wide range of community programmes relating to health, employability, diversity and education that make a genuine difference to people’s lives and this grant will allow us to expand on this to further to help improve the health and wellbeing of local people.”

Rangers Women’s and Girls’ football manager, Amy McDonald believes that the work on the complex can help open doors to a wide range of people and can particularly benefit women’s football.

“The funds from the UK Government are gratefully received,” she said. “The Ibrox Community Complex was once a hive of activity and for Rangers to have the opportunity to be at the heart of rejuvenating this will be fantastic.

“As part of Rangers’ Everyone Anyone campaign, the restored Community Complex will allow us to reach a diverse range of people, enhancing our offering throughout the women’s and girls’ department and Rangers Soccer Academies.”

Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson added: “This direct financial intervention by UK Government is a welcome boost to the funds required to reanimate this strategically situated community venue. We are delighted to support our Charity Foundation and see this crucial community facility restored.

“We are appreciative of the positive approach taken by the UK Government and the leadership of Glasgow Life and City Council officials in enabling our Charity Foundation to take a long-term lease over the Community Complex.”

Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack visited Ibrox to mark the announcement.

He said: “Football is the beating heart of Glasgow and this £150,000 UK Government investment will help the Rangers Charity Foundation, working with Rangers FC, to breathe new life into this vital community complex.

“With Ibrox Stadium as a backdrop, people from all walks of life will be inspired to get active and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that playing the beautiful game can bring.

“In total £2million UK Government funding is transforming grassroots football facilities right across Scotland, from the Borders to Moray and from Inverclyde to Dundee, helping communities become winners on and off the pitch.”