Glasgow Life has refused to reveal who is interested in taking over vital community facilities that it no longer wants to manage on the city’s behalf.
Most of the 60 plus Glasgow Life venues that are not yet scheduled to re-open are earmarked for what is being labelled People Make Glasgow Communities asset transfer programme.
The Glasgow Times launched the Save Our Venues campaign in response tot eh high number of facilities not scheduled to re-open.
Chair of Glasgow Life David McDonald said last month that unless there was an uplift in income fr more cash from the Scottish Government many would not re-open under Glasgow Life.
There are 20 venues where Glasgow Life state “Interest has been expressed in exploring new operating models for this facility through People Make Glasgow Communities.” They include Whiteinch Library where there is a strong campaign to prevent closure.
The People Make Glasgow Community project was started before the Covid pandemic led to a huge loss of income.
The list also includes community centres, football pitches, bowls and golf across the city
Another four where the position is “Glasgow Life is in discussion with a third party regarding taking on the operational management of this facility.”
One where “Glasgow Life is in discussions with a local organisation about taking over the operation of this site.”
And another three where there is either an asset transfer/lease in progress to or a lease is in progress with a third party operator.
As these facilities belong to the city and it’s people and not Glasgow Life, the Glasgow Times asked who are those who are expressing an interest in taking over the management of the facilities.
Many people in communities are concerned that facilities could be lost or services that are currently provided from them could no longer be available in their local area.
The response we received however was it is not be disclosed at this stage.
We asked: “Regarding the status of the venues not yet scheduled for re-opening, who or what organisations have expressed an interest in exploring new operating models for each of the venues?”
We asked this for the 20 venues listed as “Interest has been expressed in exploring new operating models for this facility through People Make Glasgow Communities.”
But we were told Glasgow City council would respond to this.
We asked for Alexandra Park Bowls and Golf “Which local organisations/third party is Glasgow Life in discussion with?”
We were told by Glasgow Life: “Discussions on these venues are at an early stage. Should they develop into firm proposals they would be subject to public scrutiny and council approval before proceeding.”
For St Mungo Museum, Glasgow National Hockey Centre, Maryhill Tennis, Scotstoun Campus - Outdoor Hall, There are discussions with a “third party regarding taking on the operational management of this facility.
We asked for details of the third parties but were given the same answer.
For Langside Hall where a community asset transfer is in progress, we were told Langside Hall Trust has made an enquiry.
And for Woodside Hall we were told Community Central Hall submitted a request last year
We were also told for Lister Street Bowls the lease from GCC to SiMY Community Development was approved by delegated authority on October 10 last year and was noted by the Contracts and Property committee.
Glasgow City Council has been contacted for comment.
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