Hopes that issues at centre can be solved

HOPES have been raised that community sports clubs will not be priced out of new facilities after “constructive” talks were held.

The proposed price increases at the new Menzieshill Community Centre were discussed at a meeting between community and council representatives.

Under the plan, renting the hall for an hour for kids will soar from £13.50 to £34 an hour.

Councillor Michael Marra, who is calling for the new prices to be scrapped, slammed the initial handling of the proposals.

He said: “Some basic errors have been made in the management of this project.

“Assumptions had been made on behalf of Dundee City Council that discounted rates for community groups would automatically be available from Leisure and Culture Dundee i n the new Menzieshill facility.”

He added: “It turns out this was never the case.”

It is now hoped a resolution can be found to prevent the sports clubs from being forced out of using the facilities at the new centre.

Mr Marra said: “I have asked officers of both organisations to come back with a scheme that ensures an affordable price is put to the sports groups.

“We cannot end up in a position where taxpayers have spent millions of pounds on a new facility that ends up shutting people out of sport.”

T h i s w e e k ’ s me e t i n g a l s o offered representatives the chance to discuss further concerns they had regarding the current set-up.

Mr Marra said: “The meeting was positive and I think we made progress on other issues such as the timings of lets, working with the community groups and the storage of equipment.

“I have a motion lodged for committee in September to address these issues, but I am hopeful progress can be made without resorting to that.”

A spokesman for Leisure and Culture Dundee said: “We have agreed, together with Dundee City Council, to bring forward proposals that ensure existing user groups at Menzieshill Community Centre are given assistance in transition to the new centre, and that issues of affordability are addressed.”