Wishaw YMCA could be set to have a temporary new home in the town centre.
The YM Committee have confirmed they are looking for new premises while its own Main Street building continues to be redeveloped.
Wishaw YMCA president John Murphy confirmed the committee had been looking at a number of sites in the town centre and explained the reasons why.
He told Lanarkshire Live : “The main reason is that it’s very difficult to get new funding when you are closed.
“We felt we had to do something and a bit more proactive.
“A lot of people felt that the YM would not open back up, so we need to put a marker down and get some programs back up and running.”
The YM was forced to close its doors in November 2018 after an unexpected visit from Scottish Fire and Rescue who deemed the building unsuitable for use.
Since then a fundraising drive has been launched and volunteers have been working hard to bring the building up to standard.
Among the ambitious plans put forward by the board include turning the YM’s five rooms into nine and opening the building seven days per week to allow a range of groups and organisations to use the facility.
These would include everything from mother and toddler groups to sports clubs with the gym, a cornerstone of the YM, remaining.
As well as looking for a new premises on a temporary basis, the YM have also started a number of new initiatives.
These include two music nights to be held at the Cambusnethan Club later this year and teaming up with Wishaw Old Parish Church for Souper Tuesday’s to provide a hot meal for pensioners on the first and third Tuesdays of August, September and October.
Work also continues and new members on the committee have already reinvigorated that process.
John added: “We had eight members on the committee, now we have 14 and the different skill sets they have really helped us.
“We have a new chairman in Graeme Wands and he and the team have been doing a cracking job.
“I still think that it could take another year for the old building to be open.
“It’s not going to be a quick fix, it’s going to be gradual.
“However, I am now a lot more confident that we will get there.”
**Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
