The Blackburn Square facility has fallen into such a state of disrepair that council bosses deemed it was not worth investing the cash needed to save it.

However the Barrhead News is lead to believe that as little as three groups still use the centre on a weekly basis, and they are to be re-located to more modern premises such as the Auchenback Resource Centre is possible.

A spokeswoman for East Renfrewshire Council said the decision to close the centre’s doors for good was a heavy one.

She said: “Auchenback Community Centre, due mainly to its construction, has deteriorated over time. It is in very poor physical condition and requires substantial investment.

“We will be working with the groups who use it over the coming months to find them suitable accommodation in other centres in the local community.” The 1950s pre-fab building was built in the years after World War 2 when the construction of Auchenback was in full swing.

Constructed mostly of timber, the building has suffered from deterioration since the 90s, when it was given a major overhaul with the installation of new fencing and a playground.

However council bosses say that the problems, which include an ageing interior, leaking roof and broken heating system, have become too difficult and expensive to repair.

The spokeswoman went on to say: “The centre is scheduled to close by summer 2015 and time will be used between now and then to ensure that alternative accommodation is found for those groups who use the centre.

“Any decision to close a facility is not taken lightly but in the current financial climate, and the major maintenance and upgrading issues at the centre, we have taken this decision to close it.” The centre is used by an elderly group called the Golden Age Club, and has also been used by a number of youth organisations over the years.

However the number of groups making use of the centre has dwindled, and it remains empty for much of the week. Council bosses also argue that provision to make up for the lost resources with the construction of a new early years centre and Barrhead High School, should it get the go-ahead.

A spokeswoman added: “We remain wholeheartedly committed to Auchenback – demonstrated by the £3.4 million early years centre that is to be built in the community, including the replacement for Arthurlie Family Centre, all on the one site.”