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STV News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Roller skating group hit out after council bans sport from schools over 'floor damage'
A roller skating group has hit out at Falkirk Council's decision to ban the sport from all of its schools. Skating club Falkirk Wheelers say the decision has meant axing its programme 'Skates4Schools', which saw the group's volunteers working with schools across the district to introduce the sport to young people. The council, and the private companies that manage school facilities, banned roller skating from all Falkirk schools last year, saying it is too expensive to maintain the flooring. Falkirk Wheelers, however, say there is no evidence that skating has caused damage to any flooring and the decision means that pupils are missing out on a fun, popular part of the school day. The club's Gregor Watson says it is hugely disappointing that the schools programme has been abandoned. Mr Watson said: 'Skating is something that is particularly good for kids who are disengaged at school – we've been told that sometimes its the only activity they take part in.' He says that over the years, the club has provided volunteer coaches to Falkirk schools which would have cost at least £20,000 if they had charged for their time. As part of the programme, the volunteers led sessions with pupils and also offered training to teachers and sports leaders to provide their own sessions. 'It's 13 years worth of work – of volunteers giving up their time – and we don't want it to be for nothing,' said Gregor. 'It was just killed overnight by the council.' Mr Watson says the sessions were particularly popular with youngsters who were not otherwise keen to take part in sports. 'The kids who are disengaged from PE, they were so keen on doing it they were actually taking part in other other activities so they'd be allowed to do the skating. 'It was actually getting the kids more active and was really helping the schools. 'Schools staff are not allowed to speak out but it's had a massive impact and they are desperate to have us back because it was working so well.' Mr Watson points out that the while facilities companies manage the high schools, most of the primary schools are still run by the council. 'The primary schools were absolutely loving it,' he said. 'Two of the school clusters were so enthusiastic about it that they bought their own skates.' The ban came into place following the closure last year of Bo'ness Recreation Centre and the club's move to the Academy, next door. At that point, damage was discovered to the flooring, which the club insists was already there and was not caused by skating. 'We were told that we weren't allowed in because 'skating destroys floors'.' Falkirk Council suggested that the club look at taking on the management of one of the community halls that are under threat of closure as part of its ongoing Strategic Property Review. Mr Watson says that taking on management of a hall is not feasible. He added: 'We are not concerned about our future as a club – we will find another hall, that's not a problem.' The club has appealed to local councillors as well as MSPs and has also had the support of Falkirk MP Euan Stainbank. However, a formal complaint and an appeal to the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman have both failed and the council remains adamant it will not change its mind. It's hugely frustrating and disappointing for the club – which has around 50 members – who admit there are few options available to them now to get skating reinstated in schools. Some local halls, such as Tamfourhill Community Hub, have stepped into make sure that some provision continues, while the club has a thriving junior section. Falkirk Wheelers' fear is that privately run facilities management companies are more concerned about making a profit than providing facilities that everyone can use. The club will continue to argue its case and hopes that the imminent return of schools to Falkirk Council control will be a chance to make sure that 'no groups or activities are excluded', as new contracts for facilities management are put out to tender. 'Tenders should be submitted for the true value of the work they're bidding on without exclusion for profit,' the club says. A spokesperson for Falkirk Council said: 'Roller skating is not allowed in Falkirk Council schools due to flooring maintenance agreements in place with our facilities management partners. 'In our NPDO schools, the contractor (FES) has confirmed that allowing skating would void the 25-year warranty and maintenance agreement on the specialised Junckers sports flooring. 'In our PPP schools, Mitie has advised that the flooring would require additional annual maintenance at an estimated cost of £10,000, along with ongoing repairs. This level of additional cost is not something the Council can support. 'This issue has already been through the Council's complaints process and has also been reviewed by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman which found that the Council had responded reasonably and that further review was not warranted. 'We have previously encouraged Falkirk Wheelers to engage with groups pursuing asset transfers of community halls, which may be able to accommodate their activities. We understand they are currently using Denny Centre, which is being considered for transfer.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Volunteers plea to help save Falkirk sports centre facing closure
Determined volunteers want to save Polmont Sports Centre but they need lots of help from the community A group of volunteers who hope to save a much-loved sports centre from closure by Falkirk Council say it's a case of "use it or lose it". Polmont Sports Centre will close in October unless the newly formed committee can get some firm bookings and more volunteers to help them move forward with their plans to transform it into a community-run venue. "It really is a case of 'use it or lose it'", said Dale Esson, who is among the group that was recently formed to save the centre in Polmont, near Falkirk. The building was scheduled to close in March but there was such a outcry locally that Councillor Gordon Forrest appealed for help to keep it going. A small group of enthusiastic and determined volunteers have stepped forward, with plans to upgrade the building and perhaps add other facilities, including a coffee machine. "It's a fantastic asset for the community that we don't want to lose," said Jan Crosthwaite, who plays badminton there. But the group say that to take their plans forward they desperately need more support and are pleading with members of the community to help in whatever way they feel they can. They would love to hear from people willing to give up a couple of hours per month to either help operate the centre or fundraise. They also want to hear from any sports organisation or any group that would like to use the facilities. There are plans to refurbish and diversify the rooms within the centre, so they would like to hear from any local groups who think they could use it as a venue, particularly on a long-term basis. At the moment it offers a venue for football, basketball and badminton among various sports. There are plans, however, to turn the squash court - which is expensive to heat and not well used - into another hall that will generate more income. In the longer term, they hope to get grants for a more efficient heating system. But none of it can happen without more support. Dale said: "We desperately need the residents of Polmont and surrounding areas to support and use this facility or we will lose it." The building is one of more than 100 properties that will either close or transfer into community ownership as part of Falkirk Council's Strategic Property Review. In order to take the building on - through a Community Asset Transfer - the members need to be properly constituted and regulated, something they are now in the process of finalising. As a newly established group, they don't have any funds and are currently applying to as many places as they can for grants. They also held a car boot sale last weekend to help bring in some much-needed cash as well as raise awareness of the situation. The event, held in the centre's car park, was well attended with many stalls and a constant stream of customers throughout the afternoon, so the group now intends to make it a monthly event, with the next one on Sunday, June 8, noon - 4pm. To book a stall, costing £10, call 07306 134652.
