Entering the fray to help boxing club off the ground
Community supporting plan
A Tory MSP is backing plans to turn a disused hall in Coltness into a boxing club.
Central Scotland Conservative Graham Simpson visited the boarded-up former Coltness Community Centre which has lain neglected for seven years to meet the people behind the ambitious plan.
The MSP believes that the project is ideal for a community asset transfer and has pledged to help campaigners achieve that.
Mr Simpson met the man behind the plans, Kenny Davidson, Coltness Community Council chairman and secretary John Carr and Jane Fleming.
The MSP said: “It was great to get down and meet Kenny and hear what he has planned for the old community hall.
“We spoke at length about the club and how they could go about securing the hall not only as a boxing club but also an exercise club as well.
“They have certainly got the backing of the local residents, with over 1000 people signing up to support the boxing club.
“Not only that but local tradesmen have offered to give their time free of charge to help.
That’s real community spirit in action. This project is just what the new community asset transfer rules were designed for and its now up to North Lanarkshire Council to ensure the building - which they have no use for - is handed over.”
The building, in Coltness Road, was deemed surplus to requirements by North Lanarkshire Council back in 2011 but the boxing club proposals have been backed by hundreds of locals who have signed a petition as well as all four Murdostoun councillors Robert McKendrick, Nicky Shevlin, Cameron McManus and Louise Roarty.
North Lanarkshire Council have advertised the sale of the facility as the campaign to have a boxing club on the site gathers pace.
The closing date for applications to buy the building is July 19.
A council spokeswoman said last month: “While the building is being advertised for sale, the council is open to further discussions from interested parties and no final decision has been made on whether it will be sold or leased.”
Competition