Joy over centre
Community leaders this week won a “David and Goliath” battle to save their activity centre from takeover.
Residents in Troon are celebrating after a bid to use the base at Muirhead for gymnastics was finally thrown out. A two- year fight has been waged over the centre’s future.
Frances Carson, chair of Muirhead Tenants and Residents Association, said: “This is the only thing that the people round here have got.”
A delighted community has breathed a sigh of relief after a hostile bid to take over its activity centre was finally kicked into touch.
And residents say: “It’s a bit like David and Goliath – we are all so happy.”
For two years they have fought Dundonald Gymnastics Club over the future of Muirhead Activity Centre.
The sporting club had wanted exclusive use of the facility for themselves.
That would have banned any other sport or even people using the hall for parties.
But this week’s refusal of those plans ends years of campaigning by both sides.
Frances Carson, chairman of Muirhead Tenants and Residents Association, said: “The community are absolutely delighted.
“We all just want to celebrate and have a party but because of Covid restrictions we can’t.
“This is the only thing that the people round here have got and they wanted to take it.
“But we did our best for the community and it’s been hard battle for the local people but we’ve overcome it.
“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing, we’re so happy because this has just been non- stop.”
The gymnastics club wanted a permanent home for its 400 children and offered £ 10,000 under the controversial community asset transfer system to take over the sports hall and squash court.
But their plans would have kicked out all sorts of activities run by town groups.
The community worked with Troon’s councillors and they thought the battle was won back in December when South Ayrshire Council kicked out the proposal.
But gymnastic club b bosses attempted to overturn the council decision by appealing to the Scottish Government.
Frances said: “To be honest, a lot of people gave up after that and we were really hurt. We were licking our wounds but we decided we had to see this through to the end.
“We organised a meeting and we were told, due to restrictions, we would have to call it off as there was too many people. There was too many people because there was so many objecting to it.
“But we didn’t stop there. We took it outside and had a meeting in the car park instead.
“And we found out last week that the gymnastic firm have finally failed in their bid – the community are absolutely delighted.”
Resident Anne Cameron said: “We’ve waited two years for this but it’s finally paid off. It shows that people power matters.”
Elizabeth F Ferguson- McNish said: “This centre has always been and will now continue to be the central hub of Muirhead. “Keeping this centre for the use of the local community and the various groups is a common sense, practical and correct decision.”
Troon’s Labour councillor Philip Saxton was praised by the community for his involvement in the process and he told the Post: “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the successful outcome. This has really brought together the people of Troon to oppose the takeover of a South Ayrshire facility which was used by at least 32 groups – from the young to the elderly.
“I will try and secure some funding to upgrade the centre and I would ask that all involved get behind the facility and use it.”
SNP councillor Craig Mackay added: “This has been a huge issue for users of the centre for the last two years. The refusal of the appeal is a welcome reflection of the significant number and range of objections received throughout this process.”
We’ve waited two years waited two years for fo this… it shows that people power matters