Sports centre could be handed to community for £1 if council agrees

A sports centre is set to transfer to full community ownership for a purchase price of £1, if Falkirk councillors agree.

Polmont Sports Centre was nearly closed for good as part of the council’s ongoing strategic property review, in which more than 100 council-owned buildings are either closing or transferring from council ownership.

But an appeal to the community last year saw many volunteers come forward, determined to help save it, while individuals and organisations made bookings that secured its future.

Members of Polmont Sports Centre Community Group (PSCCG), which is fully registered as a Scottish charity, have been running the centre since last October, with full responsibility for repairs and insurance.

The group has also successfully applied for grant funding and if approved, the transfer request will include up to £232,525 from the council’s Enablement Fund for improvements that will include a new boiler and roof works.

A valuation has found the building to be worth £170,000 and the rental value to be £22,000 per year.

However, the transfer will save the council annual running costs of £58,890 every year and an estimated total backlog maintenance of £489,656.

The volunteer hours, if paid, would be worth £170,889 annually, and Falkirk Council considers the overall benefit to the community to be worthwhile, while officers have been impressed by the group’s ability to promote the centre and raise funds.

The group now holds monthly car boot sales which have been held indoors during the winter months.

The next car boot sale will be held on May 10 at noon and will be back outdoors in the sports centre’s car park.

All pitches cost £10 and must be booked in advance by calling 07603 134652.

Another fundraising event takes place on Sunday (April 17), when Polmont Sports Centre hosts a quiz for teams of up to six people.

Members of Falkirk Council’s executive will make the final decision on the transfer at a meeting next Thursday.