A CLYDEBANK community centre went up for sale just one day after it was closed for good.
We previously reported that West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) had sent a letter out at the end of January informing groups who used Clydebank East Community Centre (CECC) that the building would be shut permanently on March 29.
On Friday, March 30, residents reported for sale signs had appeared outside of the centre on North Elgin Street.
The council has since confirmed it is marketing the property.
A WDC spokesperson said: “The centre [CECC] closed last week following the review of community facilities agreed as part of the council’s 2023/24 budget setting in response to a £21 million funding gap.
“As no community interest was received in the last year, organisations including the community council were advised the building would be marketed and they would still be able to register their interest in the building as part of the process.”
It is understood that a community group submitted a note of interest in leasing CECC to the council on March 25.
At present, there is no confirmed market value or details of the property available on the council’s website.
Whitecrook Community Action Group slammed the move as “disgraceful” in a post on Facebook.
It reads: “Just noticed a for sale sign on CECC. We have put a note of interest in for that with no mention of the building being sold.
“This centre belongs to our community. Shame on you WDC selling community buildings for profit. Disgraceful.”
As previously stated, the decision to close CECC followed a review of seven community facilities across the local authority with options for each including community asset transfer, making lease arrangements for the property, investigating alternative uses, or potentially marketing for sale.
The letter sent out by WDC in January confirmed two centres were now being leased by community groups with leases for a further two centres to groups in progress.
However, at that time there had been “no community expressions of interest made for the three remaining centres”; Clydebank East, Skypoint in Faifley, and Bowling – all of which closed on March 29.
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