Council and Falkirk Community Trust explain reason for delayed opening of Carron Gymnastics Centre

A council-run gymnastics facility which has remained closed while private centres have reopened is set to welcome back gymnasts later this month.

The doors of Carron Gymnastics Centre have stayed shut since the country was put into lockdown in March – despite various other facilities having since returned to business with coronavirus protocols in place.

The extended closure has meant members of Stenhousemuir and Tryst gymnastics clubs have been unable to train in the purpose-built facility.

Angered parents hit out at Falkirk Council and Falkirk Community Trust (FCT), which manages the Carronlea Drive venue, for a lack of explanation over the delayed reopening.

One mum, who did not wish to be named, said: “We don’t know anything.

"If it’s not up and running, that place will just lie empty. It’s just ridiculous.

“It’s a fault-finding game. Every other club is up and running locally and in Stirling.

"Falkirk Community Trust also do their own classes but these have all stopped and there’s been no information on when it’s opening.

“It's only been running a year past January. All the stuff is brand new.

“They haven’t given an explanation for anything.

"All the kids are working for competitions. It’s serious and these are kids with potential to be the next something else and that’s being hindered by Falkirk Community Trust and the council.”

Another parent said: “I have contacted Falkirk Council and Falkirk Community Trust who kept blaming one another and then gave me some vague response with no clear dates for opening.

“There’s a purpose-built, state-of-the-art centre being paid for by the taxpayer and it’s being left there just doing nothing.

“It’s having an effect on clubs as well because most are small, family-run clubs and, for some instructors, that’s their main job.

“The club was running Zoom classes but these have been stopped now for insurance purposes. All other sports are back up and running – we can’t go on like this.”

In a joint statement, the local authority and FCT confirmed a number of “building-related statutory maintenance checks” had been carried out to allow for the safe reopening of its venues, including Carron Gymnastics Centre.

One outstanding statutory check, scheduled for Monday, October 12, has still to be completed at the facility.

A spokesman added: “As the buildings have been closed for such a period of time, a number of regulatory checks (including water quality, electricity, fire alarms, etc.) require to be completed and, where necessary, remedial works undertaken where any problems are detected.

“Providing this check does not uncover any significant unexpected works, it would be our hope to reopen Carron Gymnastics Centre at the end of this month and in line with guidance from the Scottish Government at that time.

“We continue to support the gymnastics clubs in preparation for restarting their programme as soon as possible.

“We know and understand that the services we provide are highly valued by our local community and have been missed during the enforced closures and we look forward to welcoming our customers back as soon as we are able.”

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