A BUSY Clydebank community centre has been granted thousands of pounds towards significant improvements.

The Double L Centre in Linnvale had asked for £5,000 from West Dunbartonshire Council’s Alexander Cross Cameron Bequest Fund but council officers recommended giving them nothing.

But Councillor Jim Brown told fellow councillors at a meeting last week that the centre, behind Linnvale Primary, was in a terrible state.

He said: “This centre is in great need of refurbishment. It’s let out every night of the week and every day of the week. They are starved of money.

“You want to see the state of the chairs alone – they’re an abomination and should be put in the bin. The carpets are boggin’ as well.”

He said a friend who had worked in the shipyards with him had put in metal stairs for the centre previously to make it more accessible. And 50 Syrian refugees making their lives in Clydebank are regularly using the Double L as well.

Council officers had recommended against granting money because the centre didn’t have enough money in their bank account.

But Councillor Jim Finn argued the £9,000 they had could be used towards repairs.

Voicing support, Councillor Danny Lennie said: “They do some tremendous work and I think they should be supported.”

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill added: “The trust fund is for the benefit of the people of Clydebank. Given what the trust was set up for, I would be happy that we fund this.”

Diane Docherty, Cllr Brown’s fellow Clydebank Central member, said the centre had done up their kitchen on a tight budget.

She added: “That’s taken a lot of effort but there’s a lot of work to be done and it’s well used. I don’t think half the amount would do it justice.”

Councillors Marie McNair and Gail Casey also recognised the state of the facility and how extensively it is used.

The members moved to grant £5,000 with £1,000 from the centre’s own funds.

Speaking after the decision, Margaret Collins, who has run the centre for 30 years, said: “The huts were badly needing upgrading and this will let us do great things. It’s fantastic.”