Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Outrage as vandals go on the rampage
Fitness club’s outside area targeted again by yobs
The chairman of Bannan Fitness Club has slammed thoughtless yobs who once again targeted Coatbridge outdoor sports centre in a weekend spree of vandalism.
Thomas Fagan, 55, hit out after walls were sprayed with graffiti and items, including an old exercise bike and glass bottles, were smashed up around the building.
The Langloan facility is a regular target for vandals and Thomas revealed: “We have a mess outside the centre every weekend with broken bottles lying around every Sunday morning.
“Now the walls have been covered with spray paint and more broken glass is dangerously lying around the building.
“It’s very frustrating for us because we want a family-friendly environment here.
“We’re trying to entice people down to train and have a good time, so the last thing we want is vandalism and broken glass everywhere.
“We want adults to feel safe bringing their children here and also for adults to want to come to the club.
“But they’ll see that and think ‘what kind of place is this?’”
Broken glass and vandalised objects pose obvious problems to those who visit the centre, which is also used by Airdrie Harriers athletics club.
But Thomas has encountered other, more sinister dangers outside the facility.
He noted: “One morning not too long ago when I was opening up the club I found a bag of pills outside.
“We have a policeman that trains at the club and he told me that they were drugs.
“Any kid could have lifted them up; that is just unacceptable.
“We have a number of youth football teams in training to keep fit for their pre-season schedule and we don’t want them coming into an environment like that outside the centre.”
He went on: “Seeing vandalism like this just has a really negative impact around the place.
“In the past these yobs, whoever they are, have even managed to get into the gym and smash up a few things.
“Maybe we’d be better off inviting them into the gym to teach them about discipline and respect.”
Thomas added: “We’ve got cameras inside the bulding but it’s when we are closed the problems start.
“I think it’s worth looking into the prospect of cameras outside now as the police can just come down and move them on if they are loitering.”
North Lanarkshire Leisure moved quickly after the bank holiday to sort out the issue.
A spokesman for NL Leisure said: “We are working this morning to remove the glass and litter and will contact the council’s environmental action team to get the graffiti removed.
“We are also looking into the possibility of getting CCTV installed.
“We would appeal for anyone with information to contact the police.”