Published: Wednesday, 20th August, 2008 12:30
Zones Leisure Centre goes up for sale
By Iain Robertson
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THE former Zones Leisure Centre in Alloa is to be placed on the open market for sale or lease – with the finance from any deal being re-invested in the county’s leisure facilities.
It had been expected that the recreation facility – opened in 2003 for under-18s – would be marketed subject to the condition that it be used for sports, recreational or business purposes.
But at last week’s council meeting, SNP councillors were successful in gaining support for their proposal that the Clackmannan Road facility should have no restriction placed on its sale.
Councillor Mark English told the meeting that the SNP group had been unhappy with the way the Labour administration had dealt with the whole issue of Zones, right from the decision to close the facility in January without any consultation.
“The SNP are very disappointed that Labour has decided to close the facility but accept that they have made that decision and it is time to move on,” he said. “What is important now is that we get the best return possible for the sale of the facility so that the money can be reinvested in the council.”
Mr English added, “One of the cornerstone policies of this council is to preserve and enhance the health and wellbeing of the people of Clackmannanshire.
“The SNP will insist that the money raised from the sale of this building is reinvested in areas which will help people most in need.”
Earlier this year, a marketing exercise was carried out to elicit enquiries and determine th level of interest the sale or lease of the property might generate.
Eleven expression of interest were received – mainly in the categories of leisure and business – and council officers believed that three enquirers were serious in their intent to acquire the facility.
In his report to the council, Gordon Stewart, of property services, recommended that in light of the positive responses received during the marketing period, Zones should be placed on the open market for lease or sale, with the proviso that any bid must be restricted to the provisions of sport, leisure or recreational use, or compatible business purposes.
Labour councillors were in favour of the restrictions, but the SNP were successful in having them removed.
Council leader, Labour’s Janet Cadenhead, told the Advertiser she was disappointed that the restrictions had been removed.
She said, “We didn’t want it to go for housing – it was our intention to see if someone would come in and use it for leisure or business purposes.
“Like many councils, we were not in a position to continue running it as a leisure facility and we had hoped someone would come in from the private sector to run it.
“The SNP can’t have it both ways. They complain about the lack of leisure facilities in the county, but then oppose plans to try to do something about it.”
Ms Cadenhead said she now feared someone would buy Zones and “sit on it”, hoping for a change in the planning use of the land to allow houses to be built on the site.
She added, “If that happens, we could be left with an eyesore building.”
One issue which has to be addressed in any sale or lease of Zones is the interests of Clackmannan District Brass Band which currently uses part of the building known as the Band Hall. The brass band has a lease of this part of the building until February 2091, so any proposals from bidders will have to take this into account.
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