Paton and Baldwin's Sports Pavilion, situated near Tullibody Road, Alloa, was designed by local Architect William Kerr, around 1924. The building consists of two storeys and an attic level, laid out as a four bay centre, flanked by advanced two bays, in roughly an H-plan, The symmetrical sports pavilion, was at one time adjacent to recreation grounds and also an outdoor bowling green and clubhouse.
Patons Sports Pavilion when in use - internet photo
Architectural description as follows:
The building has octagonal stair towers with ogee roof to its side elevations. The building is of brick, rendered on some sections. The first floor windows are set close to the overhanging eaves. The building features a central three-stage square timber lantern, with a clock on the second stage and glazing on the third stage.
North West (Entrance) Elevation:
Steps leading to multi-pane glazed veranda, which is the full-width of the recessed centre area, with bays separated by square pilasters; timber bargeboard; Double-leaf glazed entrance doors to the left. Ground floor window to centre of advanced bays with blocked semi-circular fanlight.
North East Elevation:
Recessed at the centre with balcony at first floor level, supported on paired cast-iron Tuscan columns; plain iron balustrade to balcony. Stair tower to the right of the balcony; chamfered ashlar copes to wall head and recessed glazed clearstorey above; blocked openings below wall head.
South East Elevation:
Two-bay centre flanked by advanced two bays. Entrance to centre and returns of advanced bays. Rectangular brick stack to South East pitch of advanced bays to right.
South West Elevation:
mirror of North East elevation.
Predominantly multi-pane glazing to timber casement windows. Pantiled, piended roof with bell cast overhanging eaves; pitched felt roof to veranda. Ogee copper roof to stair towers and clock lantern. Flag pole to stair towers. Square ridge ventilators.
Interior:
Remodelled later in the 20th century; large hall at first floor with timber to dado rail and timber floor. Some panelled with upper part glazed timber doors. Dog-leg staircase in octagonal towers, with iron balustrades and timber handrail.
Patons Pavillion Postcard
The building retains many good original architectural details such as the segmental arched dormers, timber clock lantern and the octagonal stair towers. The pavilion and recreation ground was provided for the use of employees of Patons and Baldwins, with the wider local community being able to pay for using the facilities and therefore is an important surviving example of Alloa's social history and its interest in sport.
The Paton family founded their wealth in the spinning and drying of wool. Commencing as John Paton's cottage industry, the company was to become the largest wool spinning company in Great Britain, known then as John Paton, Son and Co. with its principal mill at Kilncraigs, in Alloa. After amalgamation with J. and J. Baldwin in 1920, the company became known as Patons and Baldwins. Both family companies had showed concern for their employees and the local community. John Thomson Paton funded the Town Hall and the Public Baths, now known as the Spiers Centre. Alexander Paton funded Old Paton's Mill School and David Paton of Tillicoultry funded the Greenside Mission Chapel in Alloa.
William Kerr was a senior partner in the Alloa architectural practice of John Melvin and Sons, and undertook a number of commissions for the company's principal patrons, the Paton family. Kerr had been recommended to the Patons by his previous employer, Thomas Graham Abercrombie, through family and client connections with the Coats family, relatives of the Patons. His work for the Patons included both commercial, domestic and recreation buildings, such as the new office block at the Kilncaigs Works and Gean House.
The recreation grounds originally included tennis courts, hockey and football pitches, and lawn bowls; however only the bowling green and clubhouse exists today, as the rest of the area has been re-developed for housing.
Patons Pavillion, Feb. 2023
The pavilion building is a listed building and its listing Category was changed from C to B on the 18th of January 1990.
The building may possibly be looked after by The Patons and Baldwins Recreation and Welfare Trust - they are involved with the neighbouring Bowling Club.