A community asset transfer of Newtyle Pavilion to Newtyle and Eassie Playgroup has been approved.
The playgroup will take over the building’s ownership and ground around its perimeter as part of its expansion plans.
The group, which has a service level agreement with Angus Council for the provision of pre-school education, has operated for 40 years from Newtyle Primary School but is looking to expand the times it operates and the facilities it offers.
Once the transfer is complete, the group plans to repair and modernise the building and erect external fencing.
The transfer was the first to be approved by the communities committee, which has the power to dispose of property for a token amount if it is valued at under £10,000.
The pavilion in Newtyle Park was independently valued at £5,000, but will be sold to the group for the price of £1 or rented for £1 a year. The group is deciding which option to accept.
The timber building with a concrete tiled roof is in need of repair and modernisation and has lain empty for years.
Work bringing the building back into use is not a council priority, but will be done thanks to the transfer.
Councillor Jeanette Gaul paid tribute to the playgroup’s success with the transfer.
She said: “I would like to congratulate the group as it has taken them some considerable amount of time to get there but they stuck with it.”
Councillor Ronnie Proctor said: “There is hard work to come but we feel we have a very capable team of community spirited people who will steer the work through.
“I think it will be a great benefit to the community and I hope this will serve as a model for future community asset transfers.”
The transfer agreement includes the property reverting to the council in the event of Newtyle and Eassie Playgroup ceasing to function.
Communities committee convener Donald Morrison added congratulations and said more community asset transfers would follow this year.
Pat Small, manager and lead practitioner of Newtyle and Eassie Playgroup, said: “It has taken us three years to get to this stage so we are absolutely over the moon. We are now planning out the work to be done and after that we will be applying for external funding.”