Blairvadach Outdoor Centre is facing closure as part of Glasgow City Council’s budget cuts.
The residential facility in Shandon on the Gareloch has helped children learn canoeing, sailing and climbing for over 40 years.
Run by the city council’s education department, its closure was announced as part of the budget revealed yesterday.
A report to yesterday’s full meeting of the council says the equivalent of 16 full-time jobs would be lost, for a saving of up to £218,000.
Despite this and other cutbacks in the 2020-21 budget, council tax bills in Glasgow will rise by 4.6%.
Cllr George Freeman, who lives in Garelochhead, said the news had come as a surprise and there had been no indication any threat to the facility.
“The first concerns must be for those who could now lose their jobs,” he said.
“I am assuming that Glasgow City Council will now put the facility on the market.
“Although the last thing that we would want to see is the centre lying empty, it is difficult to see who may want to purchase the site and what use it could be put to.
“There is always the possibility that whoever purchases Argyll and Bute Council’s Blairvadach site on the opposite side of the road may want to consider whether the outdoor centre site could be used for additional new housing.
“There is no doubt that anyone who is interested in purchasing the site will require to have long discussions with Argyll and Bute planning officers.
‘‘Although local residents did not normally have access to the facility, it will be sad to see it close.”
Blairvadach is recognised as a course provider by the Royal Yachting Association, Scottish Canoe Association, Mountain Training, Cycling Scotland, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme and the John Muir Trust.
Councillor Freeman is wrong to say that local residents did not have access to the facility at Blairvadach.
Try telling that to the countless local children who have learnt to sail, climb and canoe at Blairvadach during their holidays. Or do the local Scouts, Cubs, school children and nurseries who book sessions not count either.
Blairvadach is also used by the MOD as a facility as well.