There could only be one choice for the front page of this week’s issue, and that was the long-awaited opening of the Barrhead Foundry.

It was hard to imagine how East Renfrewshire Council would take the tired, late sixties building and transform it into a modern facility with the new, contemporary look.

The sports centre had become the big brown lump at the centre of the town’s regeneration, especially after the equally brown former health centre was torn down to clear the way for Asda.

However architects have taken the sports centre and, with £3.6 million in funding, created what feels like a brand new building.

A light, open and airy library space dominates the front of the building, sporting the latest technology to get residents online.

There is a comprehensive business suite with conference rooms, reception areas, offices, wifi and even a kitchen.

In the new gym you can now jog while browsing Twitter, YouTube and Facebook on large touch screen monitors.

And older areas have been given a lick of paint too.

Essentially, no area has been left untouched, and the transformation is staggering, and the town has secured a massive boon in the partnership with West College Scotland and the University of the West of Scotland.

The best part of 20 years’ regeneration in Barrhead Main Street is coming to an end. However in Neilston, it is only just beginning.

A comprehensive paper, the Neilston Development Infill Strategy, has been published.

In it are details for everything from the transformation of Neilston’s Main Street, to details on individual houses on vacant land dotted throughout the village.

Houses on Brig O’Lea, and a museum at Crofthead Mill are just some of the ideas detailed.

As Neilston Community Council chairman John Scott points out on page 13 of this week’s paper, now is your chance to have your say. Don’t let the opportunity pass youu by.