How many people does it take to switch on a light bulb?
That’s the question irate Irvine West councillor Scott Gallacher is asking after plans to light up the Portal Leisure Centre for a special event failed for a second time.
Volunteers with the Parkinson's group gathered at the town centre venue on Thursday night, hoping to see it turn blue to promote their latest awareness campaign.
But after 45 minutes they were forced to abandon the idea due to a fault with the lighting system.
Ironically, last November, plans to light the Portal red for Remembrance day were dashed when the lights flashed blue instead.
Mr Gallacher, who helped organise the Parkinson's event said: “This is very embarrassing and personally, I am very frustrated by this.
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"I mean how many people does it take to turn on a light bulb for heavens sake?"
“I’ve been attending the Parkinson’s group for the past six months and organised this to help raise a bit of awareness.
“Unfortunately, it was just an absolute cock-up”.
“Whoever the responsibility this lies with at the very least they should write a letter to the Parkinson’s group giving them an apology.
“You just feel like a complete idiot because you invite people along and then we aren’t even capable of switching a light on”.
"I genuinely can’t believe that happened”
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are fully supportive of raising awareness of this serious condition and would like to apologise for the problem at the Portal on Thursday evening.
“Preparations for the event had been made in advance at both the Portal and Saltcoats Town Hall.
“While the event went ahead at Saltcoats Town Hall without incident, unfortunately attempts to increase the brightness of the lights at the Portal resulted in an unexpected problem which could not be addressed by centre staff.
“Our technical teams will now seek to ensure the problem is rectified and the lights returned to full working order.”
