Uddingston public hall closure could jeopardise clubs

Feb 11 2010 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A POPULAR Uddingston club for the disabled could fold if the village’s public hall has to close.

It emerged last week the hall needs £215,000 of repairs but it seems unlikely the council – facing a £17.5m deficit – will be able to foot the bill.

One way forward could be to demolish the building, which some have described as “past its best”, and build houses there.

Already some organisations which use the hall are looking at alternative premises.

However, Uddingston Disabled Sports and Social Club, which have been using the hall since November 2008, believe it is a village asset. Now they are gathering signatures for a petition in a bid to save the hall.

Uddingston Disabled Sports and Social Club founder Jim Hannah, said this week: “This is the only hall we could find in Uddingston when we started out. We tried a few locations in the village, but none were available.

“Now they are talking about closing it. It’s not easy getting new premises.

“Without a hall the club may have to disband.”

The club meet at the hall on Monday evenings and run activities like carpet bowling, quizzes and karaoke.

“We’ve grown from nine members in November 2009 to 30 members today,” Mr Hannah explained.

“For some of our members, attending the club is a highlight of the week.

“It would be a great loss to Uddingston if the hall were to be demolished and the club had to fold as a result.”

The hall’s £215,000 repair bill was discovered following a survey on the building prompted by Councillor Jim McGuigan who wants the facility retained.

The survey found that nails holding roof slates in place have eroded and water has penetrated the building, causing dampness in a rear wall.

Organisations which use the building include Uddingston Pipe Band, mother and toddler groups and dance classes.

Councillor McGuigan said this week: “I’d like to commend members of Uddingston Disabled Sports and Social Club for their initiative in taking up the fight to save the village hall.

“I’d also encourage all the people of Uddingston to sign the petition, so that the council and the other two village councillors can help retain the village hall and bring it back to a proper condition.”

South Lanarkshire said last week they are considering the contents of the survey, which “identifies the existing condition of the building and outlines a range of potential repairs”.

The council’s spokesman also pointed out that no final decision had been made about the future of the hall.

PROTEST: Uddingston Disabled Sports and Social Club and Councillor Jim McGuigan are concerned Uddingston Public Hall could be lost to the community following a £215,000 repairs bill. The picture shows (front) club founder Jim Hannah and Councillor McGuigan with club members.

niham110210uddingston-1