Ground broken on transformational new home for Baltic Street Adventure Playground

£1.1 million investment will create a permanent base for one of Glasgow’s most important community organisations

Children and families in Dalmarnock are set to benefit from a major new community facility after work officially began on a new permanent home for Baltic Street Adventure Playground (BSAP).

Representatives from Clyde Gateway, Baltic Street Adventure Playground, the Scottish Government and project partners gathered on site today (Tuesday 9 June), where ground was officially broken by Councillor Richard Bell, to mark the start of construction on the £1.1 million development. The project will replace ageing temporary buildings with a purpose-built facility designed to support local children, young people and families for generations to come.

For more than a decade, Baltic Street Adventure Playground has been a lifeline for families in the east end of Glasgow, providing a safe place for children to play, learn and thrive, while supporting parents through food provision, community activities and family support programmes. Established as a legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the organisation was created to ensure that the benefits of the Games would continue to make a lasting difference to local communities.

Now, thanks to investment from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Clyde Gateway, the charity will have a permanent base that matches the scale of its impact on the local community.

The new facility will provide indoor and covered community space, a larger community food hub, improved kitchen facilities for cooking and skills programmes, additional storage, and modern office space for staff and volunteers. The space will also be suitable for children’s activities and play sessions, but its primary function is as a flexible community resource.

The investment reflects Clyde Gateway’s commitment to tackling child poverty and creating opportunities for local people through regeneration that delivers lasting social and economic change.

Councillor Ricky Bell, Glasgow City Council said:

“I am delighted that we are breaking ground on this landmark project. The Baltic Street Adventure Playground is such a treasured asset to the children and families who use it. It is not only a fun and safe place to play but also provides valuable services and that reassurance of being supported by a caring community.

“With this dynamic space, I am sure this new-and-improved facility will only continue to put a smile on the faces of our future generations as well as offer its vital services to families who need it.”

Niki Spence, Head of Sustainable Communities at Clyde Gateway, said:

“This project is about much more than a building. It’s about investing in children, families and the future of Dalmarnock.

“For more than a decade, Baltic Street Adventure Playground has made a real difference to local people, providing a safe place for children to play and learn while supporting families across the community. This new facility will give the organisation the space and resources it needs to build on that success and continue changing lives for years to come.”

Robert Kennedy, Executive Director of Baltic Street Adventure Playground, said:

“This is a huge moment for Baltic Street Adventure Playground and the community we serve. What began as a temporary project has become a vital resource for local children and families. This new building secures our future and will allow us to support even more people in the years ahead.

“It secures our future and gives us the opportunity to reach and support even more people in the years ahead. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make it happen.”

Expected to complete in early 2027, the new facility will provide a lasting community asset in the heart of Dalmarnock and ensure Baltic Street Adventure Playground can continue delivering life-changing support to local children and families for many years to come.