Councillors
Sorry to hear the demolition of the old Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre is being recommended. I believe this would be a mistake for our Community. There is a real need for space as the High School Centre is not proving able to replace all that has been lost. I do not believe you can understand how poor an experience I (and others) have had to trying to attend exercise classes there. So often rooms are not available and classes are cancelled. It's fine if you only want to go swimming or go to the gym but it offers so little else during the day. And the Bonnyrigg Centre is not going to compete with these activities as the High School Centre remains a sports centre only and one with a limited view of its role as well as limited facilities.
With the closure of the market as well as the old Leisure Centre, the centre of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade has lost vibrancy. The new Library is not seen as accessible so is losing customers. To vote for demolition of the Bonnyrigg Centre, the only show in town in terms of rebuilding a town with a focus, would be an act of cultural vandalism.
While the initial campaign to save the building was about the loss of soft play (and it is a crucial area to recommission to get some cash flow) my vision for the building is about so much more than that. I find it extraordinary that Council Officials should say they will look for an alternative venue for soft play as if that addresses the issues that have arisen from closing Council facilities in Bonnyrigg. It is such a shame on Midlothian that our Council is not prepared to work with volunteers and offer the information and advice that would allow the Trust to write a more developed business plan. Why? Are you scared of empowering us to do things for ourselves?
Marnie
Sorry to hear the demolition of the old Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre is being recommended. I believe this would be a mistake for our Community. There is a real need for space as the High School Centre is not proving able to replace all that has been lost. I do not believe you can understand how poor an experience I (and others) have had to trying to attend exercise classes there. So often rooms are not available and classes are cancelled. It's fine if you only want to go swimming or go to the gym but it offers so little else during the day. And the Bonnyrigg Centre is not going to compete with these activities as the High School Centre remains a sports centre only and one with a limited view of its role as well as limited facilities.
With the closure of the market as well as the old Leisure Centre, the centre of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade has lost vibrancy. The new Library is not seen as accessible so is losing customers. To vote for demolition of the Bonnyrigg Centre, the only show in town in terms of rebuilding a town with a focus, would be an act of cultural vandalism.
While the initial campaign to save the building was about the loss of soft play (and it is a crucial area to recommission to get some cash flow) my vision for the building is about so much more than that. I find it extraordinary that Council Officials should say they will look for an alternative venue for soft play as if that addresses the issues that have arisen from closing Council facilities in Bonnyrigg. It is such a shame on Midlothian that our Council is not prepared to work with volunteers and offer the information and advice that would allow the Trust to write a more developed business plan. Why? Are you scared of empowering us to do things for ourselves?
Marnie