Scotstoun and Whiteinch residents meet on future of park

Presentations were given by representatives of Broomhill Sports Club (BSC) and Friends of Victoria Park (FoVP), two organisations with proposals to develop the area on the north west of the park.

Lively exchanges took place as residents pressed both groups for answers on topics ranging from access issues to the site’s heritage and anti-social behaviour.

Steve Prince, chairman of BSC, said his organisation intended to use the site for all-weather synthetic sports pitches which would be open to the public as well as the club.

Established in 2004, the club has more than 750 members with classes catering for youngsters with learning difficulties, those looking to keep fit and elite athletes.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Prince said: “We were very pleased with how things went.

“I think that some people had preconceived ideas of what we were all about and the meeting gave us the opportunity to tell people about us.

“There just aren’t the opportunities for young people to play sport now like there used to be. If you’re a kid going to high school, you might be lucky to get into a school team but that’s about it.” Reflecting on intentions to make the pitches as accessible as possible, Mr Prince cited the example of Spartans in Edinburgh. Operating in Pilton, he told the Post their pitches were fenced to prevent dog walkers mucking up the site but gates could be left unlocked for residents to use the facilities when they were not otherwise occupied.

Mr Prince added: “I think the other proposal is a good idea — but not on the football pitches. It is a Victorian sports park and we want as many children and young people as possible tpo enjoy it.

“There should be levels to cater for everyone, particularly in this day and age when there is such a focus on issues like obesity and problems with heart disease and diabetes.” Also delivering a presentation was Richard East, vice convenor of FoVP. The group was set up in 2009 to give local people a say in contributing to the future development and vision of the park.

Mr East, a landscape architect who lives nearby, told assembled members of the public about FoVP’s intention to turn the site into a community orchard. He described previous projects he had been involved with to develop parkland across the country including the Beardmore Park in the east end of Glasgow and Ravenscraig Park in Fife.

It was heard the area had been neglected by Glasgow City Council (GCC) for more than 20 years, adding that it had been increasingly used for events like the circus and drive-in cinemas.

Robert Mellish, convenor of FoVP, felt the organisation’s presentation had gone well.

Mr Mellish commented: “Most of the people there were local residents.

“It’s a sign of the interest in the park and the need for the council to take it slowly and carefully.

“A lot of people are very worried they won’t get the development they want but the most important thing is that the community decides.

“We think our pitch is good but ultimately, it is what the community wants that counts.” Commenting on the proposals by BSC, Mr Mellish added: “Our area is very well served for those kinds of sport facilities. There is Jordanhill School and Scotstoun Lesiure Centre “Do we really need another one?” Councillor Alistair Watson, who chaired the meeting, said: “The launch of the public consultation was very well received and the passion felt by the local community on the future use of the red blaes pitches was palpable.

“We need that passion to continue into the consultation so that we understand the full breadth of views held by the wider Glasgow community as clearly Victoria Park is visited by a very wide range of people.” Brian Butler, commercial manager at GCC, encouraged members of the public to continue engaging in the consultation process, adding that he wanted to hear from everyone, whether they supported the proposals put forward or an alternative idea. More information on the consultation will soon be available at www.glasgow.gov.uk/consultations