END OF AN ERA
Greenhills Playbarn makes way for housing
Residents of East Kilbride are sharing fond memories of Greenhills Playbarn as the bulldozers moved in last week to make way for social housing.
A landmark in the town for four decades, the disused sports centre was once a thriving community hub for generations of local youngsters and sport stars.
Demolition of the building began on Friday, March 18, with Merchant Homes Partnerships given the green light to build 28 two-bedroom flats on the site on behalf of Sanctuary Housing Association.
Rumours had swirled that the site was going to be used for a new homeless unit after South Lanarkshire Council announced that Lindsay House in the Village would eventually close its doors, but these were soon quashed.
Opened in the 1970s, Greenhills Playbarn was packed with crowds of sporting enthusiasts from all over East Kilbride.
The playbarn was built as a result of the increased demand for sporting facilities in the new town, especially in the Greenhills area.
Home to East Kilbride Gymnastics Club for many years, other sports offered included five-a-side football, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, handball and netball.
And, unlike the John Wright Sports Centre, there was no membership scheme, so disadvantaged youngsters far and wide could enjoy the facilities.
Capturing the moment the bulldozers began the demolition, local resident Irene Dorrian said: “The playbarn was a big part of my family’s growing up here in Greenhills.
“My son was always there playing fives and my daughters went to the summer playscheme then the gymnastics.
“It was a great place years ago for the kids but it’s been lying empty for years. I knew it would end up being demolished eventually.”
Sharing fond memories of the playbarn online, residents said they were sad to see another East Kilbride community resource go to developers.
Posting on an East Kilbride Facebook
community page, a local resident said: “Fond memories of the playbarn. More houses and less facilities for kids. Such a shame. Was always a landmark for directions/meetings/parties.”
Another posted: “Lived close by in Fir Drive, girls went to gymnastics there, landmark gone.”
A Greenhills resident added: “Gymnastics and Pokemon battles and card trades. Grew up around this place, sad times.”
Daniel Lowe, the council’s executive director of housing and technical resources, said: “Greenhills Playbarn was home for many years to East Kilbride Gymnastics Club.
“Following on from their growing success and relocation to new premises the property was advertised by the council for sale.
“The purchaser, Sanctuary Homes, now has planning consent for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of 28 flats and it is anticipated that work will commence shortly on the redevelopment.”