Disused Glasgow building could get new life after community takeover

The old bowling greens in Springburn Park could get a new lease on life, thanks to a campaign by Friends of Springburn Park (FoSP) and the Glasgow Disc Golf Club, among others.

The two organisations are leading a bid to transfer the use of the amenities to them.

The disused bowling greens and clubhouse in Springburn Park (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Danielle McPhileny, 32, chair of FoSP, said: “The bowling green was shut during Covid and there are no plans to reopen it.

“But the community really wants to use it again and doesn’t want the building going into disrepair.

“With Glasgow Disc Golf, we decided to apply for it through the People Make Glasgow Community Scheme, we put in a note of interest for the building.

“We are going to work with other partner organisations as well, like the Royal Voluntary Services and a cafe, who will move into the building with us.

“It will become a community facility, so the use will depend on what they want."

To find out what locals would like to see, the groups are running an online consultation, which has been very successful so far.

Patrick McCauley, founder of Glasgow Disc Golf Club (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Patrick McCauley, Glasgow (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

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Patrick McCauley, founder and treasurer of Glasgow Disc Golf Club, said: "We are running a consultation and we had over 400 responses already, the engagement is quite positive on it.

"Being able to see what the community want has been really helpful.

“One thing that is very unique about this course is that we had the Boathouse Cafe next to it, which, unfortunately, was damaged by flooding.

“That provided refreshments and use the toilet facilities and that became a very big draw for the people travelling here to play.

“Since then, there has been an opportunity to look at this new facility,  which is obviously not being utilised by the council. I just think that this modern-style building will be more appropriate for hosting larger-scale events."

Disc Golf (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Patrick McCauley in Springburn Park, Glasgow (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

If successful, the North Glasgow facility will be used according to the public's votes as soon as the transfer is complete.

So far, suggestions include a cafe, activity room for kids, clubhouse, and the restoration of the bowling greens.

Milton resident Danielle McPhileny added: “From what people are saying, they just don’t want another building in the park to go to ruins.

“It’s quite central in the park and people have lovely memories of it, they used to bowl in it.

“There is not a lot going on in the park right now either, so, people want to be able to be more in the park and make it a more appealing place for families, older people and everyone in general to spend their time here."

Friends of Springburn Park have also applied to take over the Springburn Park Red Blaes Pitch, an abandoned football field.

To find out more about People Make Glasgow Communities, visit here and to have your say in the bowling greens consultation, visit here.