Says youth team’s football coach
A youth football coach has slammed Wishaw Sports Centre for their ‘embarrassing’ facilities.
Damien Corr coaches Wishaw Wycombe’s 2006 side on the astroturf pitches at the sports centre every Monday and Wednesday.
However, the 10-year-old’s must wade through flooded and muddy paths to get to the pitch.
Now Damien is calling on North Lanarkshire Council to intervene and make it a safer environment for the youngsters.
He said: “You can’t expect a bunch of 10-year-old boys to wade through this to train and play games three times a week.
“We complained about it last year and when we started training again last month but it seems like we’re just being passed around.
“You want to encourage kids to come out and play different sports but this kind of thing could put them off.
“We had a game last weekend against Eddlewood from Hamilton and it was embarrassing having all the kids walk through it.
“The staff at the sports centre don’t seem too concerned but they’re more than happy to take the money for the pitch hire.”
Councillor Robert McKendrick has stepped in to help out the club and he said: “Constituents and coaches from both Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers and Cleland Boy’s Club contacted me about the flooding issue.
“Initially I was told by staff at the Sports Centre that the problem was down to Scottish Water.
“When I contacted Scottish Water they said that they had checked all the public drains, confirmed they were all clear and the flooding was not caused by mains water.
“I have requested the council’s ground maintenance investigate the situation”.
A council spokesman said: “We are aware of the issue and are currently investigating the matter.
“Once we identify the cause of the flooding then the necessary repair work will be carried out.”
Staff at the sports centre don’t seem concerned but are more than happy to take the money for the pitch hire