SECRET PLANS EYED UP DEMISE OF VENUES
ANEVER-BEFORESEEN document has revealed some of the city’s most beloved bowling and tennis greens could have been flattened to make way for community growing spaces.
A leaked options report from Glasgow Life confirmed the charity was considering turning dozens of sites into “open/growing spaces” despite many of the facilities being open – some of which were in use at the time the report was compiled. The papers were published last October, however, it has been kept in the dark until it was revealed to the Glasgow Times.
The facilities which have been included in the discussions are: Bellahouston pitch and putt; Castlemilk Bowls; Caldercuilt Playing Fields; Drumchapel Bowls and Tennis; Halgreen Avenue Playing Fields; Kelso Street Pitch; King George V Playing Fields; King Georges Field; Knightswood Bowls; Knightswood Pitch and Putt; Knightswood Tennis; Linn Park Golf; Maryhill Bowls; and Netherton Community Campus bowling green.
At the time the report was published Drumchapel Tennis, Knightswood Golf, tennis and bowls were all open and in use.
The document said: “There are ongoing initiatives as part of wider service reform programmes and through city vision initiatives such as partnership opportunities and the Community Hub programme.
“Venues identified may remain mothballed or alternative use/options may be identified.
“The reprovision of some external sites such as pitch and putt or underutilised green space could be allocated to growing or open space initiatives.”
As previously reported, the Glasgow Times launched the Save Our Venues campaign earlier this year in a bid to secure the futures of dozens of beloved community venues.
Glasgow Life has said several facilities remain closed due to funding issues caused by a massive reduction in income throughout the pandemic.
However, clubs and groups, which rely on the sites, were among the first to re-open when restrictions began to initially lift last year.
It’s understood the creation of new growing sites would have caused all group activity to cease in order to make way for the likes of vegetable gardens.
A spokesperson for Drumchapel Tennis Club said it was “unaware” of any plans to change the site from its
current condition. The charity, which prepared the document for Glasgow City Council officers, said several of the facilities mentioned in the report had since re-opened.
It’s understood the idea was scrapped after it was refused by local authority officers who were against the move.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “The Asset Options Paper compiled a year ago was a discussion document for Glasgow City Council, that suggested potential options for future use of venues closed by the global pandemic that would support the council’s priorities.
“Glasgow Life prepares discussion documents like this that support the decision-making process of the council so they can consider possible changes of use, or transfer of lease/ ownership.
“At the time it was prepared, Glasgow Life’s financial position as a result of the pandemic and lockdown, meant just over 60 venues were open to the public, compared to now where more than 90 have been able to open thanks to the £100 million guarantee from Glasgow City Council which was agreed in March.”
The spokesperson added: “Some facilities included in last October’s paper are now open as a result of this guarantee from Glasgow City Council.”