Hamilton community centre 'sickened' after closure proposal

South Lanarkshire Council allegedly informed staff at the Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre in Hamilton that proposals to close the community-run hall were moving forward. 

But with the centre hosting everything from a nursery and free activities for local children and vulnerable people to youth facilities and addiction support groups, staff and users have been left ‘disgusted’ over what they branded as a ‘shocking’ decision. 

Jennifer Etherson, administrator for childcare in the community centre told the Glasgow Times: “To lose a building like this is just sickening, to be honest. 

“Our initial reaction (to the news) was shock, which was followed by a lot of anger and upset.

“We’ve had people coming in crying. 

“It is just really hard to process that this is a decision which is even being considered.”

As the centre also offers services like befriending groups for locals battling loneliness or isolation as well as Bowlers and local judo classes for women and the disabled, Jennifer has been left worrying about what the future will look like for those who may be left with ‘nowhere else to go’. 

She explained: “This is the only community building we have within Whitehill, it is all we have got. 

“We do a lot for kids and the community here and there is regularly a lot going on from birthday parties to community events. 

“There are a huge number of kids that come through those doors from disadvantaged areas and Whitehill itself is a disadvantaged area. 

“If this centre goes, there will be nowhere for our elderly, vulnerable or kids to go. 

“We can’t just tell parents to go to another nursery, where would they go to? And what about after-school care? There are no others like this in the area. 

“We’re just getting kids back from Covid-19, getting them back into socialisation and the council now wants to shut down something that is vital.

“I just cannot stress enough the impact that this will have.”

The centre claim they were informed about the decision by SLC at the tail-end of January, and were told that if the centre did close, it would happen in April.  

The decision comes as SLC are in the process of making cuts to leisure as part of their annual budget. 

The council is set to go over the budget on February 21, with a board meeting taking place on February 28.

You can view SLC's consultation on the matter HERE

Staff and users of Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre are planning to protest against the decision outside the South Lanarkshire headquarters in Hamilton this Sunday at 12.30pm.

They are also planning to demonstrate outside the headquarters during the budget meeting later this month. 

It comes after they held a community meeting on Wednesday, February 14 which Jennifer said had an ‘amazing’ turnout. 

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture said: "Unprecedented budget pressures mean some extraordinarily difficult decisions are having to be made across public services.

"This includes South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, which, as well as our existing financial gap, is facing a potential £1 million reduction in the income we receive from its biggest funder South Lanarkshire Council, which itself is having to save more than £20m this year.

"Through three public consultations, we have asked local people to help us prioritise the services we provide. These have helped us consider the potential withdrawal of our service from some facilities as a possible saving, and affected staff have been informed of this.

"The final decision will be taken by the Board of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture after South Lanarkshire Council's budget meeting on 21 February where a decision on the reduction in South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture's management fee will be taken.

"If the withdrawal of SLLC from any facilities is agreed, we will work together to assist the community in finding ways in which it can continue to operate the services."

To find out more about Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre, click HERE