Heated row over leisure centre’s future

A war of words has erupted between Labour and the leader of Dundee City Council over the future of a leisure centre.

Centre staff were told on Thursday not to turn up for work at the Lynch Centre in Lochee.

Instead, Leisure and Culture Dundee (LACD) told them to work from Caird Park Golf Course from yesterday.

GMB bosses claim the decision could force closure of the facility but LACD maintains a number of proposals are being considered, including handing the centre over to a charity.

T h ose plans have sparked a war of words between Labour and the council’s SNP leader John Alexander, who dismissed closure fears as “laughable”.

Michael Marra, Labour councillor for the ward, said staff had been made aware of the decision by text message, which he said was “completely unacceptable.”

He also called on the council and LACD to honour their “moral duty” to provide facilities for everyone in Dundee.

Mr Marra said: “If the SNP intends to close even more community facilities in the Lochee ward, then they will need to ask councillors to vote on it.

“The decision rests with elected councillors and not with officers.

However, Mr Alexander defended the administration’s record on investing “tens of millions of pounds” in community facilities against a “backdrop of a decade of austerity”.

He said: “This includes the £13 million Menzieshill Community Centre and library and a £1m upgrade to Lochee swimming baths. Actions speak louder than words.

“There is no suggestion the centre would not be used for sport going forward and no suggestion it would be demolished.”