YMCA gym joy

Paisley YMCA members were celebrating the reopening in March 1977 of the gymnasium at their New Street premises.

Nine months previously, the gym the focal point of much sporting and social activity, was closed after it was discovered that the roof beams in the ceiling and the changing rooms were asbestos clad.

After work on the gymnasium, it was now ready to open its doors officially, when the paisley YMCA was to play host to other branches and youth organisations.

HQ staff were exploring the possibility of making further and better use of the gymnasium.

Officials were concerned about the drop in membership after the Factory Inspectorate ordered the the facility to shut.

“The closure has affected the whole programme of the association,”said secretary Mr Bernard Webb.

“It has also affected membership, and hopefully that situation will change rapidly.

“Our football team has not had training facilities during the worst part of the winter and that has affected their whole programme.

“Obviously, it is very difficult to assess the total affect but it has been quite dramatic on the whole building.

“I think we have lost a certain number of members because of the gymnasium being out of use.”

Mr Webb said the estimated work cost about £1,600.

The changing room beams were stripped and reclad with wood encased in plaster to meet fire safety precautions.

Trouble with asbestos was discovered when the beams in the gym began to flake after being constantly struck with balls and shuttlecocks during football and badminton practice.

“After a heavy games session, the asbestos dust was noticeable on the floor,”Mr Webb said.