The new Speirs Centre, which re-opened in October last year after a multi-million pound regeneration project, has won a prestigious architecture award.

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) awarded the Historic Scotland Special Award for Conservation and Climate Change for the project, which was designed by LDN Architects LLP.

Earlier, the centre also won the Edinburgh Architectural Association Ambassador Award.

The RIAS panel praised the project saying: “Adapting an impressive Victorian public baths and gym with an uncompromisingly new extension delivers important new community facilities and offices.” Council leader councillor Les Sharp said: “It is a matter of great pride for the people of Clackmannanshire that the refurbishment of this much loved building has been recognised with this prestigious award.

“I am delighted that we were able to secure a sustainable future for this important listed building as a hub which provides the range of modern services and facilities that our community needs.

“The redevelopment of the Speirs Centre is part of the ongoing Making Clackmannanshire Better programme which is moving towards integration of services within hubs, and is just one of the investments that the council has made in the regeneration of our town centres, helping to make them better places to live and work in.” Since its re-opening the community hub has proved popular with locals hosting a range of events including weddings, meet the author opportunities and interesting talks on areas of local interest.

The Speirs Centre features a new and modern library, local and family history facilities with access to all of Scotland’s birth, death, marriage, old parish records, open censuses and more.

It also features customer service facilities for all enquiries, payments and bookings, registration of births, deaths and marriages, public wifi and computers for public use, exhibits showing the history and heritage of the Wee County as well as seating and relaxation areas.