Gears in motion: Construction begins on new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre
Construction of the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre will begin next week, as the site of a former mill begins its transformation into a new world-leading facility in the Scottish Borders.
The construction of the new building at the former Caerlee Mill site in Innerleithen starts on Monday (23 March). It is due to open in 2027 and will be a flagship centre for research, development and innovation for the global cycling sector.
Last month, the Borderlands Partnership Board approved £15.5million of UK Government investment through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal for the development of a Mountain Bike Innovation Centre and Trail Lab.
The Innovation Centre is projected to generate £86m in Gross Value Added and over 225 jobs in the South of Scotland over ten years, with potential for an additional £4m of UK Government investment in the Tweed Valley Adventure Bike Park.
It will include bike engineering workshops and innovative laboratory facilities alongside teaching areas, offices, brand experience units and a flexible events space to support local and international cycling businesses.
The project is being led by South of Scotland Enterprise, with support from Scottish Borders Council and Edinburgh Napier University.
Hub South East Scotland is the delivery partner, with main contractor Morrison Construction firstly installing drainage, foundations and a steel frame for the building.
Some temporary roadworks will be required during construction, with a regular community newsletter being shared to keep residents up to date.
Regular updates including community newsletters and FAQs are also available at www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/mtbcentre.
In addition, a new website for the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre is being developed and is expected to launch in the coming weeks.
Anyone seeking more information on taking space or using the Centre should contact: mtb@sose.scot.
Russel Griggs, Chair of SOSE, said:
“It is fantastic to see the construction phase of the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project get underway.
“We thank all our partners, and in particular the local community and mountain biking sector, for their engagement and support in getting to this point, and will continue to speak to them throughout the construction.
“We are determined to deliver a Centre which will help transform the economic and social opportunities in the area.
“The Mountain Bike Innovation Centre is one of a number of really exciting projects taking place in the South of Scotland, including the soon-to-open Deep Tech Accelerator Hub at Hawick.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill said:
"It is great news that main construction works are getting underway on the Innerleithen Mountain Bike Innovation Centre.
“Opening for business next year the full project - backed by £19million UK Government funding - is bringing jobs and investment to the region and will attract riders from across the country and beyond to a world class facility.
“Part of our £65million contribution to Scottish projects in the Borderlands Growth Deal, this is the UK Government working with local partners to deliver a decade of national renewal across Scotland."
Professor Nazira Karodia, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, said:
“This is an exciting milestone, and one which we have been keenly anticipating.
“The Centre will provide huge opportunities for academics and students to build on our pioneering mountain bike research and innovation.
“We look forward to working with our partners over the coming months to develop a world-leading facility where expertise and initiative can have a positive impact on the global cycling sector.”