Shake-up of leisure trust could mean closures, according to leaked report

A draft report leaked to this newspaper has revealed the facilities that could face the axe if the cross-party working group on leisure and culture agrees to take them forward.South Lanarkshire Council officials have identified 29 “red” venues which they have suggested could be closed or transferred to the community to run.

Those on the list include Bothwell Library, Uddingston’s Dual Use and Strathclyde Park Golf Course – and Bothwell’s community centre has been placed on an ‘amber’ list.

In a potential blow to the bowling scene, a number of clubs – Abington, Carstairs, Tarbrax, Red Deer and Murray bowling Clubs have also been included on the red list.It’s not currently suggested that these would be at risk of closing but that may change depending on the results of the leisure and culture review and the sustainability of the facilities.No formal recommendations have been made yet and the cross-party working group on leisure and culture are currently reviewing service provision and what venues will be needed going forward.Michael McGlynn, executive director for community and enterprise resources said: “It is untrue to suggest that the venues in the list have been recommended for closure or transfer.“The cross-party working group was set up to look at how future provision of leisure and culture services in South Lanarkshire might best meet the needs of local communities.“As part of this, the focus has been on what leisure and cultural outcomes the council request of SLLC.

"This has also been the subject of extensive consultation with the public and users groups. The use of all local facilities, how much subsidy is required per user and the availability of alternative provision for local residents to use have all been considered to assist this work.

"However it would be premature to make any recommendations on the use of any facility before the group completes its work.“It will be for the CPWG to consider how it wishes to proceed with this information, and if any venues might be better utilised in other ways .”