Trust takes the lead in final bid to save Forfar leisure centre

A TOWN charity is taking the lead in a last-gasp bid to save Forfar’s Lochside Leisure Centre.

Weeks away from a meeting which could finally end the saga surrounding the empty building, Forfar Community Football Trust (FCFT) has launched a survey to gauge the level of support from other clubs and organisations for a community hub plan.

They hope to make a May proposal to Angus Council to finally stave off £400,000 plans to bulldoze the Forfar Loch building.

Last month, councillors looked again at Lochside’s future and decided a community asset transfer (CAT) or demolition remain the two best options.

But the trust accepts the clock is ticking on hopes of keeping the 45-year-old centre standing.

A May 13 meeting will determine the next step.

The group secured charitable status in January 2020 for what started out in 2012 as Station Park Community Trust, a partnership involving Forfar Athletic FC, Forfar Farmington FC and Angus Council.

FCFT vice-chairman Nicola McBride said: “We’re a fairly new charity and just went through that status process so we realise what is involved.

“Having created good partnerships with local community clubs and other local trusts, we were greatly affected by Covid-19 in terms of new activity.

“However, we have had the chance to look at what we could achieve from being part of a development of a new community hub.

“We have a number of great ideas, but we want to complement rather than be in competition with what is in the town.

“This wouldn’t just be our group, ideally it would be a Forfar area trust and would be an umbrella body for everyone involved.”

As well as catering for a range of sports, the trust believes the building could offer opportunities for space for small local businesses, a pop-up cinema, physiotherapy/health rooms and a cafe.

Ms McBride added: “We just have enough time to build a business case but we really need other groups to help us by giving us their views and support.

“We were given access to the building so our structural and heating engineers could have a look and there were no horror stories. We think it is sound for another 30 years.”

The council’s districtwide survey ran from December 3, 2020, to January 31 and drew just 334 responses.

More than a third backed bulldozing the centre, but a CAT plan also drew support.