Strong opposition has been voiced over Blantyre Soccer Academy's bid to take over the Jock Stein Centre in Hamilton.
The Academy have applied to South Lanarkshire Council for a community asset transfer of the popular football and leisure facility in Hillhouse, with the promise of local people running the venue.
Their proposals also include the investment and improvement of the facilities for all the community; all football clubs being able to book the parks; plans to improve surrounding environmental areas not used for sporting activities; and to provide new opportunities for community usage.
However, the move has caused concern with people and football clubs across Lanarkshire who currently use the facility, with many believing the Academy will "prioritise their own teams" when it comes to let bookings.
So much so a petition has been started by Hamilton dad-of-two, Dean Barghati, aiming to stop the transfer going ahead, with over 1950 signatures to date.
Dean runs the Hamilton Dynamo's Football Club who cater for approximately 35 children who regularly use the Jock Stein facility when it is available, as well as using the pitches to play on with his own two children.
Dean, told Lanarkshire Live: "It's hard enough for us to book a let for the Dynamo's without Blantyre Soccer Academy taking over the facility, making it harder for teams to book lets with the amount of teams they run themselves.
"I also use the Jock Stein with my own two children and this would be taken away from them and from the whole Hillhouse community if this asset gets the go ahead.
"Many of the parents in Hillhouse cannot afford the fees BSA ask for, but whilst the Jock Stein is currently ran by South Lanarkshire Council the children have free access to the pitches without the worry of being moved on or ask to leave, why should this right be taken away from the kids."
Blantyre Soccer Academy chairman Jimmy Whelan confirmed the plans and said: "Blantyre Soccer Academy has submitted a Community Asset Transfer application to South Lanarkshire Council for the transfer of the facility to community ownership.
"We have created a document for consideration which will assist the efforts of the local community and to improve the social and physical regeneration of the Jock Stein facility and to address social exclusion, isolation and other historical problems and provided positive outcomes.
"We believe that this new model of delivery would place the local community at the heart of the decision-making process by transferring power, responsibility and financial control to that of community control.
"Please note that we would also confirm that the Jock Stein Sports Facility will be open to every organised football team who wish to use it."
But the Academy's proposed takeover announcement was met with controversy on social media with many people venting their frustrations online.
Stephen McCrory posted: "How anyone is supposed to believe a club will not prioritise their own teams is beyond me. If you are interested in investing in the community then get a bit of land or an unused facility and build your own.
"Add to the community. Don't take away from others."
And Anne Whalin commented: "This is absolutely farcical that you would devise these plans when you know fine well this is for the benefit of your club and only your club. The Jock Stein Centre is in Hamilton for the community and should be kept for the teams in the Hamilton community to train."
The Academy was established in 2010 as a registered charity and has developed a strong social mission with Blantyre Bites Back, support for Good Child Foundation and the building of a community garden with a Covid dedication area. They also aim to increase public participation in sport across Lanarkshire.
In 2019 they purchased the former Rowans Hall in Blantyre under a community asset transfer from South Lanarkshire Council for a token price of £1 and turned it into their Academy hub headquarters.
Daniel Lowe, Executive Director of Housing and Technical Resources at South Lanarkshire Council, said: "An asset transfer request has been made to the council under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Once this has been done, the council is legally obliged to consider it.
"Details of the request, which has been made by Blantyre Soccer Academy and relates to the Jock Stein Sports Facility at 176 Hillhouse Road, Hamilton, can be viewed online through the Council’s Planning Portal using reference CAT\21\0004.
"Anyone wishing to make any representations about this request should do so in writing prior to 20 July, 2021, either by email to CommunityAssetTransfer@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or by post to the Community Engagement Team, Finance and Corporate Resources, Council HQ, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA."
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