Doune and Deanston Youth Project community celebrate the opening of their new building
The official opening of a new purpose-built community building has been celebrated by local residents in Doune and Deanston, together with key partners and supporters.
Article Source: Stirling Council
Last Updated: 11 March 2026 9:01
Image Ben Macpherson cuts the ribbon on the new facility alongside DDYP Trustees, the local community, partners & supporters / Credit Peter Herbert
Located in Moray Park, Doune, the modern pavilion building will be the main base for the Doune and Deanston Youth Project (DDYP), a charity that delivers a wide range of activities for children and young people in the area. It will also be available for hire by the community.
The cutting-edge facility includes a main space, breakout room, a small kitchen, office and toilets. It is equipped with the latest sustainable technology with solar panels, battery energy storage and an air source heat pump providing water and heating, giving it an A+ EPC rating.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, that took place on Saturday 7 March, was the culmination of over eight years of hard work and fundraising efforts by the DDYP, who needed a new permanent base to continue supporting local children and young people’s personal and social development.
In December 2023, following an earlier grant from Forth Valley and Lomond CLLD for design work, Stirling Council awarded the project a £268,334 grant from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme. This enabled construction on the facility to start in January 2025. Building works were completed in November 2025 allowing the community to move in.
Karen Ross MBE, Chair of DDYP Trustees said: "This a fantastic achievement by a small group of people to finally establish a permanent purpose-built place for the young people in the community to enjoy for years to come.
“After over 23 years, and being based in four different locations, we have now a fully owned facility that gives us a great foundation to grow and develop what we can do for our youngsters and the community.
“Currently we run an after-school club, evening drop-in sessions and a holiday programme, while the space can be let by community groups and organisations. We intend to expand this provision with the help of youth services and parents.
“We appreciate the local funding support from businesses, local people, the school and other local organisations. This, together with the substantial financial support from the Scottish Government's Place Based Investment Programme via Stirling Council, as well as the financial backing of Forth Valley & Lomond CLLD and countless others, have made the dream come true.”
Convener of Stirling Council’s Finance, Economy and Culture Committee, Cllr Gerry McLaughlan said: “The opening of the new pavilion is a stunning achievement for the local community and the DDYP following years of hard work and commitment.
“We were delighted that we could support the community to make this dream a reality, including the awarding of the grant. The result is a high-quality, welcoming space in the heart of the community that will be transformational in how the charity can support local families and deliver wide-ranging and lasting benefits for the area’s young people.
“It was a privilege to be part of the opening celebrations, and we look forward to continue supporting and collaborating with communities across Stirling on these types of innovative projects.”
Higher and Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson said: “It was a pleasure to help officially open this new pavilion, which is a superb new asset for the community and will be enjoyed for many years by local children and young people from across Doune, Deanston and the surrounding area.
“I pay tribute to all of those involved in the collaboration to make this building happen - the tremendous commitment of Doune and Deanston Youth Project, Kilmadock Development Trust, and all the other partners.
“We’re proud that the Scottish Government supported this project and thank and congratulate everyone involved. We wish DDYP every success, as this brilliant new facility serves the community for years to come.”
Established in 2004, the Doune and Deanston Youth Project (DDYP) is a charity which serves the villages of Doune, Deanston, Argaty and Buchany and the surrounding areas.
The charity supports local children and young people in their personal and social development, while also fostering a sense of community and belonging.
The charity’s previous building (constructed from temporary building units in 2008) was reaching the end of its usable life and put a limit on future growth, leading to work starting on building a new hub in 2018.
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