The total amount of money spent on scaffolding to support Ruchill Community Centre since February is £18,000, a spokesman for Glasgow Life has confirmed.
During last week’s full council meeting, Labour councillor Fiona Higgins said she had been advised that the scaffolding was costing £18,000 per week but the charity organisation has since apologised for the recent “error in communication”.
Members were also informed that more than £600,000 was needed to repair the roof and that the centre would remain closed to the public in the meantime.
READ MORE: Glasgow Community Centre still closed after pandemic as repair costs soar
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “In a letter sent to Councillor Higgins we mistakenly said scaffolding costs at Ruchill Community Centre were £18k a week.
“We have written to Councillor Higgins today to explain this was an error and should have read the total costs for scaffolding are £18k to date. We are advised there will be no further costs incurred until the scaffolding comes down.
“We apologise to Councillor Higgins and local community groups for the error made in recent communication.”
“Repairs to Ruchill Community Centre began in late February, with a plan to overlay a new roof on top of the existing one.
But it was then discovered by the contractor that the building could not support this additional weight and the roof would need to be replaced. Asbestos has also been discovered in the roof which has increased construction costs considerably.
The spokesperson added: “With removal of the asbestos together with rising inflation in the construction sector, this means our projected project costs are estimated to increase from £262,000 to more than £650,000; meaning we require at least an additional £400,000. We will know the final sum when we receive revised full costs from our contractor.
“Glasgow Life does not have the additional funding required to progress the modified repair programme at Ruchill Community Centre. Discussions are underway with Glasgow City Council to address this funding gap and an expected significant extension to the timescale.”
