East Kilbride Gymnastics Club is celebrating a significant achievement after being granted the lease for Stewartfield Community Centre. The club’s senior coach, Nicky Youl, is determined to enhance gymnastics opportunities for children in and around the town following the successful acquisition of the venue through a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). Initially slated for handover to Badminton Academy Social Enterprise (BASE), the centre’s lease was eventually secured by the gymnastics club after BASE withdrew its application.
While the formal CAT request for Stewartfield Community Centre is pending, the club has been given a one-year rent reduction of 100% to facilitate the development of their CAT application. The primary focus of the project is to establish a gymnastics academy tailored for children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and those in primary school. This initiative aims to cater to the growing demand that the organisation has already generated.
Nicky Youl expressed the club’s enthusiasm for expanding gymnastics provision in East Kilbride and its environs, with a particular emphasis on preschool and ASN children. The club has secured a grant from Scottish Gymnastics for acquiring equipment for the venue but is still seeking additional funds. A finalist in the Cash for Kids sports grant for Glasgow and the West, the club is hopeful to receive further support for purchasing apparatus for the facility.
The club’s vision is to ensure increased access to gymnastics for its current 1400 members, compared to 500/600 members when they relocated to their current premises five years ago. Stewartfield Community Centre will play a vital role in offering quality gymnastics classes for children of all ages and abilities, fostering a conducive environment for the club’s continuous growth and community impact.
Councillor Davie McLachlan, Chair of Housing and Technical Resources at the council, commended the move as a significant step in keeping valuable community resources accessible. The decision to assign Stewartfield Community Centre to the gymnastics club aligns with efforts to address funding challenges across South Lanarkshire. The transition of the facility’s operations to the club will not only benefit the local community but also free up resources for other essential services.
In a similar vein, Lifeline food bank, Loaves and Fishes, secured a concessionary lease for Greenhills Hall and Library to expand its services and cater to a broader demographic. Meanwhile, Calderwood Baptist Church has been granted the lease for Calderwood Community Hall, with plans to enhance community engagement and sustainability.
These initiatives underscore the positive impact of community-driven endeavours in utilising public facilities to meet diverse needs and foster inclusive growth. As East Kilbride Gymnastics Club prepares to embark on this new chapter at Stewartfield Community Centre, the anticipation is high for the transformative possibilities that lie ahead.