Concerns over access to gym at high school
Councillors row about public use of pupils’ leisure hub
Council leader Iain Nicolson has claimed he has had no complaints over the opening of a school gym to members of the public.
The complex at Park Mains High School, in Erskine, has been open during school hours – as a replacement to the gym at the nearby sports centre – for the last two months.
Fo l l owi n g c a l l s f rom Councillor Jim Harte to halt public access to the suite until “a comprehensive consultation” had been carried out, Councillor Nicolson said the system “appears to be working”.
Both Renfrewshire Leisure and the council have previously said both the parent council and gym users were consulted on how the arrangements would work.
A number of safety measures are in place, including separate controlled access and changing facilities for members of the public, physical partitions within the gym to ensure pupil privacy and supervision by Renfrewshire Leisure and school staff.
However, Councillor Harte said “the whole process of consultation has been nothing short of a shambles”.
Speaking to the full council meeting, he said: “The parents are saying that the consultation of this was deeply flawed and they weren’t involved in the process.
“Members of the gym have been saying they weren’t fully consulted and are uneasy about attending the gym.
“The parents are asking that the gym members not be allowed access to the school during school hours until a proper and meaningful consultation has taken place.
“If they had that in the first place then we might not be in this situation.”
Councillor Nicolson said “full consultation had taken place” between teachers, parents and the wider community.
The elected member, whose ward covers Erskine, added: “Everyone and their brother has been consulted on the gym in Park Mains High School.
“It’s difficult when people get emotional on things that could happen to children.
“The public are not getting access, you have to be members of Renfrewshire Leisure.
“It’s been operational now for the last eight weeks and I have not had any complaints, so it appears to be working.”
Councillor Michelle Campbell, who also represents Erskine, said communication on the issue had to be “transparent”.
She said: “It’s right to say there has been miscommunication and that could’ve been better. “It’s a very emotive subject. “I have highlighted that to both Renfrewshire Leisure and education.
“That has to be completely transparent.
“The meaningful engagement came from myself and Councillor Nicolson and having walkarounds.
“I was there to listen and take on board their points and views.
“Those parent s t hat approached me to look at these issues, the majority of these parents have been accepting of the measures put in place by the board.”
The gym will remain open to Renfrewshire Leisure members during school hours, after councillors voted against preventing access.
Parents are asking for members not to be allowed access during school hours until consultation