THE future of Tullibody Civic Centre remains up in the air, as the council prepares to close the building's doors next week.

As it currently stands, Tullibody Community Development Trust (TCDT) which is looking to take it over, is not a trusted keyholder with Clackmannanshire Council, meaning there will be no one to open the facilities when the local authority withdraws its staff on Monday.

It is understood an agreement was in place, but was withdrawn as the state of the roof above the games hall is in a much poorer condition than originally anticipated, with the issue surfacing as late as last Friday, September 21.

The trust has been working hard on sustainable plans to take the building over along with professional consultants, but civil servants last week told the group that even if an agreement can be reached in time, the games hall will be out of commission.

Moreover, it has become unlikely the rest of the facilities could be opened come October 1.

A TCDT spokesperson said the community is “still in shock” after receiving notification and held an emergency public meeting on Sunday.

They are urging the council to keep facilities going for groups like the toddlers, wrestlers, pensioners and Tai Chi classes.

The future of changing rooms or the adjoining playing fields is also unknown with football teams eager to know.

In an open letter to the council, trust chair Janette McGowan explained trustees already demonstrated they can act as key holders, for instance at a recent meeting with the council at the centre, when no staff was on hand to open the building and set things up.

She said: “We understand that there are other council-owned buildings in Clackmannanshire operating with trusted key holders, why not the civic centre?

“As you are aware we have been waiting on the council drawing up a lease or heads of terms for the official occupancy for some weeks now, we have not received a copy yet, not even in draft form.

“It is grossly unfair that our community should suffer because the council hasn’t drawn up a lease for the occupancy as yet.”

Nikki Bruce, who runs the “lifeline” Tullibody Toddler Under 5s Group said her committee was “actually stunned” the centre looks to be closing.

She said: "For almost 50 years there has been some kind of baby and toddler group in the Civic Centre, currently run as Tullibody Toddler Under 5's Group. Meeting Wednesday and Friday mornings.

"Sadly it is looking likely that this Friday 28th September will be our last session."

And added: "The Toddler Group committee and users are actually stunned that the centre is closing. Where will we go? What will happen to all the other groups that use the centre?

"It may not be important to the council. It may be easier to save money if the building is shut. It may well be easy money if they sell the land to developers (who knows what there long term plans are?) But it is important to the people of Tullibody now and for the future generations."

A spokeswoman for the council confirmed the state of the roof is “considerably worse” than previously though, adding that this is”very disappointing news”, but “safety considerations must take precedence”.

She confirmed discussions are now focusing on isolating the games hall so the rest of the building can be taken on.

And said: “This will require further calculations on the running costs such as utilities that would be apportioned to that particular part of the building. We will provide that information as quickly as we can.”