Call to demolish council offices to build leisure hub
EAST Renfrewshire’s council headquarters should be demolished to make way for a new leisure hub.
That was the claim by Independent councillor David Macdonald as he laid out his vision for the future of Eastwood Leisure Centre.
Council chiefs are currently consulting with the public over whether to refurbish the existing facility or create a new centre at a cost of more than £27 million.
Mr Macdonald believes he has found a cheaper solution despite failing to give a cost analysis. He insists his alternative, which would see a new facility built on the council HQ site, is the best course of action.
But Conservative group leader Stewart Miller branded those proposals as “stupid”.
Mr Macdonald said: “I firmly believe this plan to be the best option for creating a first-class leisure facility within Eastwood at the existing location while minimising disruption during the building of the new facility.”
Mr Macdonald said the council chamber, committee rooms, Provost’s and Leader’s offices would be moved to Eastwood House. Under his proposals, council staff would move to offices in Barrhead Main Street. A new car park would be built alongside the leisure centre – taking away half of the current parking ground at council HQ.
He also put forward plans to temporarily relocate the existing gym facilities at Eastwood Leisure Centre to Overlee Pavillion. A new pay and display car park would be designated in the grounds next to Overlee Park.
The councillor said Eastwood
Park Theatre would be kept intact while lowering fees charged to drama groups.
When asked what the cost of his scheme would be, he said: “I am not an expert on cost but I feel confident these ideas could be met for far less than building a separately located new build somewhere else.”
Hitting out at the proposals, Stewart Miller said: “If Councillor Macdonald had done his homework he wouldn’t propose stupid ideas. He’s not thinking things through. His proposals will cost several times more than what the council is proposing.”
The council is consulting on four options for Eastwood Leisure
Centre. The consultation will close on June 19.