Falkirk Council: Community up in arms at thought of closing Bonnybridge centre

The community has been stunned by last week’s announcement from Falkirk Council that the centre is in such a poor condition that it could close within three months.

A report to councillors says £1.2 million of repairs are urgently needed over the next two years.

But the centre’s management committee are angry that they had previously been told they had until 2026 to get a committee of volunteers together who were willing to take the centre on through a community asset transfer (CAT).

As recently as November, says Arlene Graham, they were being told that the council would support them with this and the plan was to canvas and leaflet to spread the word.

But that timeline has now been dramatically shortened.

Arlene is the chair of Bonnybridge Community Education Association’s management committee which runs the centre.

She and secretary Jennifer Cochrane, along with Jennifer’s mum Teresa, also run the Happy Mondays – a group of mainly elderly people who meet at the centre every week to enjoy lunch and a blether.

But they also run Roots, the local food bank, and are active on the gala committee.

While they are desperate for the centre to remain open, they need the full community’s support to make this happen.

“We need people to step up – we just don’t have the time to do everything,” says Arlene.

“We really need to hear from people who have skills such as writing a business plan or tradespeople.”

While they were disappointed that people were not quicker to volunteer, they were fairly confident that they would have found 20 people who were willing to take the task on before the 2026 deadline.

Instead, they have frantically submitted an expression of interest in taking over the building just this week, in the hope that will buy them more time.

But they have been heartened by the response from the community who are now realising there is a real danger the centre will close.

For many people that is unthinkable.

The centre, they say, is at the very heart of the community, providing a lifeline to many.

This week, when members of the Happy Mondays gathered for lunch, they were shocked at the news it might close.

“We just can’t let it close – it’s appalling,” said Janette Ritchie.

Her friend June Ramsay agreed: “It would be a huge loss for lots of people – it’s so well used. We come to meet friends and have a wee blether.

“They’re trying to keep us living longer but they’re taking everything away.”

They are far from the only group that uses the building: among the others are carpet bowlers; Mother and Toddlers; model aeroplane enthusiasts; the model railway club; walking football; after-school clubs; dance classes, tae kwondo; and judo which is tailored for children with special needs.

“It’s hitting all the demographics,” said Arlene. “We’ve got toddlers up to pensioners – I think our oldest user is 91.”

Members of the Happy Mondays include Jeanie McLachlan who says it would be “just terrible” if the centre was to close.

She and her friends enjoy the company on a Monday as well as some of Teresa’s tasty cooking.

Margaret McDougall, 88, is president of the carpet bowls club which has around 30 members who also uses the centre.

She agrees that if the centre closes it will be devastating, particularly for the elderly.

She and her friend Agnes Cleazy both now live alone and enjoy lunch with the Happy Mondays, followed by a game of carpet bowls.

“Without the centre where are all these people going to go? There’s nothing else in the village. We’d be sitting at home watching the telly or staring at four blank walls!” she said.

While Antonine Primary and Denny High have been suggested as alternative venues, neither Arlene or Margaret think these would be suitable.

The centre’s facilities, including toilets, are also shared with the Scouts, although they have their own separate premises which are part of the building.

Arlene and Jennifer are now urging anyone who wants to help save the centre to join a protest at a meeting of Falkirk Council at 10 am on Wednesday, where councillors will make the final decision.

They won’t be the only protesters there – people from Bo’ness are also angry at plans to shut the recreation centre, again due to its condition.

A spokesperson for Falkirk Council said: “The surveys were undertaken by an independent surveyor and have identified a range of issues with an estimated investment required totalling approx. £750,000 for priority works which are defined as those where an element is life expired and / or serious risk of failure within two years.

“Overall there is approximately £1.2 million identified over the next two years to where elements are life expired and at risk of failure within five years.

“There have been multiple attempts to engage the community and the existing management committee to progress an expression of interest for the property and to move towards a CAT.

“Despite the efforts including by elected members there was a reluctance to consider a CAT.

“The offer remains open for groups to come forward with an EOI [expression of interest] which would enable a further three months (six months in total) to progress a CAT application.”