Falkirk Community Trust delays reopening facilities

This is the date First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave on Thursday for reopening of these facilities.

But the trust has admitted that it is not ready to allow customers back to its fitness centres yet.

However, it has given a date of September 7 when it hopes to open the outdoor area at Grangemouth Stadium.

One week later on September 14 it plans to open the stadium’s indoor area, the Mariner Centre and Stenhousemuir Gym.

No date has yet been given for reopening of Bo’ness Sports Centre or Grangemouth Sports Complex.

In a statement on its website, the trust stated while it was good news that the First Minister had given the go ahead “before we can reopen, as our buildings have been closed for so long, we have a programme of work to complete along with the council”.

It added: “Falkirk Community Trust’s plan to reopen takes into account the needs of our community along with restrictions on the number of customers and staff we can accommodate safely. People are at the heart of everything we do and we will only reopen facilities when it is safe to do so.”

It continued: “We need to undertake a number of safety tests (including water, electricity, fire alarms, etc.) and, where problems are detected, arrange for remedial work to be undertaken.

"We are still to establish dates for opening other sports venues, and we will advise you as soon as we can via our website and social media channels, so please stay tuned.”

But some facility users were less than impressed by the news.

One woman commented: “What has been done with venues closed, surely some improvement works could have been completed. Well I hope the changing rooms have been deep cleaned and all the mop threads have been removed from the cubicle legs, the tomato sauce removed from the ceiling and jaggy tiles replaced.

"Five months in which work could have been carried out. Oh don't get me wrong I am grateful we will have safety measures to adhere to, but basic planning, and housework could have already been done. C'mon Falkirk Council. And I am sure you won't restore payments until all your facilities are available.”

Another wrote: “Can’t understand why after five months of being closed they need to remain closed longer for works. And really hope this isn’t an excuse not to reopen Bo’ness.”