Eighteen community centres across Glasgow will re-open to the public thanks to the £1.1 million allocated to support them in this year’s budget.
A number of Glasgow Life venues across the city have been identified by the council as a “welcoming place” and divided into three separate tiers following a public consultation process carried out in June this year.
Tier one will provide welfare facilities including food and drink as well as access to information and advice. Tier 2 will have the capacity to host citizens and will have a range of services and activities made available to the public while tier 3 venus will offer a warm and welcome space to sit.
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During Thursday’s city administration committee, it was confirmed that Pollok Community Centre, St Francis Centre, Possilpoint Community Centre, Cranhill Beacon and Netherton Community Centre will be included in the tier 1 project.
Geoff Shaw and Pollokshields Community Centres as well as the Couper Institute are also expected to be part of tier 1 while six community organisations are hoping to take on the operation of the unopened Glasgow Life venues.
They include Ruchazie, Shettleston, Garrowhill Community,Molendinar, Tollcross and Balgrayhill Community Centres.
Speaking about the proposals, Baillie Annette Christie said: “Last week there was a meeting organised by GCVS (Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector), where over 100 community organisations attended.
“There is ongoing work identifying where support is available and where those organisations can provide services in their own buildings but if not move into Glasgow Life venues.
“We are also looking into transportation should that be required. Every opened Glasgow Life facility will welcome people into the building. There may not be a tier one welcoming place but there will always be somewhere for people to come into Glasgow Life venues.”
Councillor Christie also confirmed that Partick Burgh Hall, Drumchapel and Barmulloch Community Centres which will remain as vaccination centres until March, 31 2023 when they will reopen to the public on conclusion of the agreement with the NHS.
Ruchill Community Centre will also reopen once building work is completed.
Following the meeting Glasgow Labour culture spokesperson Bailie Patricia Ferguson said: 'It’s reassuring that the value of community venues to their areas has finally been recognised.
“The news of 'Welcome Places' at Netherton, Pollock, St Francis Centre, Possilpoint and the Beacon at Cranhill - the direct result of Labour's Council motion just a few weeks ago - will play an important part in helping people through the cost of living crisis.
''I am delighted that after hard-fought community campaigns by residents, the trade union movement and local Labour councillors, Ruchill Community Centre will be refurbished, and venues such as the Couper Institute and Pollokshields Community Centre will be reopened.
''I also welcome confirmation that Drumchapel, Patrick and Barmulloch Community Centres will reopen after their time as vaccination centres. But it's vital to see a long-term commitment from the City Administration to ensure the viability of the centres in the long term.''
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