USERS of a Barrhead community centre have warned the council has a fight on its hands, amid rumours the building could be bulldozed to make way for a new football ground.

Dunterlie Resource Centre has become the focus of a storm of speculation after rumours began to circulate that East Renfrewshire Council was working with Arthurlie FC to turn it into their new home.

Volunteers and groups based at the centre have complained of being kept in the dark while talks about its future are had without them.

And now, after the council revealed its intention to hold a ‘consultation’ to examine how the centre is being used, the community has sprung into action.

A banner bearing the warning “HANDS OFF OUR COMMUNITY CENTRE” has been hung above the door and centre users have begun recruiting supporters to a campaign group, led by Dunterlie resident and secretary of Barrhead Community Council, Rena McGuire.

Rena told the Barrhead News she was extremely concerned about the centre’s future.

She said: “We’ve been hearing rumours about Dunterlie Resource Centre for a long time now, for months.

“People have approached me asking where we’ll go when Arthurlie Juniors take over the centre.

“Taxi drivers have been telling people the centre is getting demolished because Arthurlie are taking it over.

“I called East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure and they said they knew nothing about it, but I kept on hearing the rumours.

“We’ve been told discussions have been going on since long before we heard the rumours. I want to know why people outside of Dunterlie seem to know all about it, but I live here and know nothing.”

Rena said suspicions mounted when Councillor Danny Devlin was seen leading a group of visitors, believed to be from Arthurlie FC, on a tour of the centre.

Cllr Devlin confirmed to the Barrhead News that he is working with the club to explore options for a potential move, but declined to comment further.

There is already a football pitch behind Dunterlie Resource Centre, with a lot of parkland potentially available for redevelopment, all owned by East Renfrewshire Council.

The pitch has been closed since one of the floodlights became unsafe in 2017.

Despite interest from groups at Dunterlie Resource Centre in accessing the pitch, the council has kept it closed, even after the unsafe floodlight was removed.

Rena added: “If they want the park, take the park, but not the building. Take the changing rooms, but you’re not getting the centre.

“We will fight this. I’ll pull out the whole scheme if I have to. And they’ll come out. Don’t think they won’t.

“If they take the centre away from us, we’ve got nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
Annmarie Strain, who grew up in Dunterlie and now leads a number of classes at the centre, said: “It’s quite gutting. There is so much work that goes on in the centre.

“The story I’ve heard is that Arthurlie is getting it and the building’s coming down so they can build a stadium.

“There’s been talk that within the building, the community would still have access to lease it out, but we’ve also heard it will be gone completely.

“I’ve even been told the plan is to knock everything down and build houses, so we really don’t know where we stand. No-one’s been upfront with the people who use it.

“It’s used every day from toddlers to the over-50’s. It would be a massive step backwards for the community if it was taken away.

“The worrying thing is the feeling people have that the council have already made their decision.”

A council spokesperson said: “A community consultation will begin later this month which will allow residents and stakeholders to have their say, ensuring that any redevelopment of the area will meet the needs of the local community. 

“There has been an approach regarding the disused football pitch and changing rooms, however no decision regarding the future of the Dunterlie Resource Centre has been made and the council is committed to reaching the best possible outcome for all involved.”

A spokesman for Arthurlie FC confirmed it is exploring the possibility of moving to a new ground, but said discussions with the council are at such an early stage that it would be “inappropriate” to comment further.