When your changing rooms come with corrugation and a shipping-container silhouette, you know it’s “temporary accommodation” with style.
Is a standard brick clubhouse out of your budget or timeline? In Devon Way Sports Park in Dollar, Scotland, the answer has turned out to be: just drop a shipping container and call it changing rooms. The local club has submitted plans to Clackmannanshire Council to site a steel-hulled container unit for use as temporary changing facilities at the sports park.
On first glance, it’s pragmatic. These containers are cheaper, quicker to install and flexible. They’re currently used for storage around the sports ground, so it makes sense to repurpose rather than rebuild anew. A planning notice confirms: “Siting of shipping container for use as temporary changing rooms at: Devon Way Sports Park, Gowan Lea, Dollar, Clackmannanshire – Ref: 25/00185/FULL.”
But let’s not pretend this is a grand architectural statement. The term “temporary” gets big air-time in the description, which suggests the club sees it as a stop-gap rather than a new long-term clubhouse. That said, in the world of sports-club infrastructure, “temporary” often becomes “semi-permanent”.
For the club and the parish of Dollar, the logic is sound. Changing rooms are needed, funding is tight, and a container allows for swift implementation. The sports park will get functioning facilities without the months of planning, construction and contingency costs that a full build would demand. The move also frees up manoeuvring space while longer-term plans remain undecided.
From a local planning perspective, there are some subtle challenges. Siting a container in a park must consider visual impact, neighbour concerns and how the structure fits into existing greenspace. As the public notice reminds: written comments should be submitted by a certain date and objectors will be notified of the council’s decision.
For the members of the club it’s a win: gone are the days of muddy gates, taped-up showers and inadequate capacity. The container version may lack glamour but gains practicality. With changing rooms sorted, the focus can shift to matches, training and community engagement rather than infrastructure headaches.
Funny as it may sound to outsiders, shipping-container conversions are increasingly common in community sport. Whether it’s a pop-up café, a youth hub or, yes, changing rooms — the modular, robust structure is ideal for organisations working under budget constraints and tight timelines. The club in Dollar is simply embracing the trend.
There’s also something quite symbolic: the container fits the “temporary but ready to go” mindset that many small clubs adopt. Rather than waiting for full funding, they move with what they have, make it work, and evolve gradually. In that sense, this isn’t a “lacking” solution — it’s an entrepreneurial one.
Of course, “temporary” means expectations need to be managed. Members should be aware the facilities may have fewer luxurious finishes than a purpose-built building. Waterproofing, insulation, ventilation and accessibility still need attention — especially when users include children, youth teams and community groups. The club will need to ensure that the container meets minimum welfare standards and that users are comfortable.
“Why wait for a new build when a robust container can house changing rooms this season?” — Club spokesman
If the project goes ahead, it could also serve as a stepping stone to bigger ambitions. The container might be installed now, but once the club shows demand and usage, they may convert or extend, or raise funds for a full build in due course. In the meantime, they’re delivering value, responding to need and keeping momentum.
