Concerned members of the community, politicians and one of the world’s most famous comic-book writers have issued passionate pleas to save a beloved Lanarkshire sports club after the council shut down its venue for repairs.
Hundreds of people attended a protest event at the Janet Hamilton Centre in Coatbridge on Sunday as the hugely successful Bannan Fitness Club faces an uncertain future.
The council say “no decision” has been taken over the fate of the Langloan Street centre, which is now closed for “safety reasons” based on advice from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the local authority’s health and safety team.
However, many locals fear the popular, successful Bannan Fitness Club, where the likes of athlete Liz McColgan appeared at, may be taken away from the community.
The club, which has more than 200 members, is run by Pat Bannan, brother of the late Rab Bannan who trained Ricky Burns and received a BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award back in late 2015 for his wonderful work developing boxing at grassroots level for more than four decades.
Pat is determined to maintain his brother’s legacy and maintain the club’s “crucial” presence in Monklands.
Pat told Lanarkshire Live: “Bannan Fitness has been operating at the same location for eight years and this is a historically significant area where Lord Sebastian Coe himself ran.
“It is an incredibly successful jewel in the crown of Lanarkshire, built by the previous council custodians via public funding.
“The venue has came through a fire, COVID and a myriad of building issues and challenges but kept going for the sake of the community.
“There is no profit in the club. It is run by volunteers who truly care about the community and its people.
“There are two buildings at the site, which were built some years apart and easily adapted to stand on their own. There is no reason why Bannan Fitness cannot be reopened very quickly.
“There is a minor plumbing issue to be resolved but the electrics are all fully operational or only needing a few circuits checked or repaired.”
Comic-book king and movie producer is Mark Millar is Pat’s cousin and is backing the efforts to reopen the centre.
He told Lanarkshire Live: “I love what Pat and his volunteers have all been doing over the years. From kids to pensioners to people with special needs in the area, Bannan Fitness has become a lifeline and the number of people I know in Coatbridge who go is crazy.
“It’s just brilliant and if the council are closing the outdoor sports centre, as has been rumoured, I really hope they find the club somewhere else where they can do this crucial work for the people in the town.
“In a time where people are all watching TV or playing video games, it would be a crime to lose something as successful and well loved as this club.”
Molly Curley is one of the many parents whose children have felt the benefit of Bannan Fitness Club.
She said: “My little boy Joey, seven, has been attending Bannan Fitness since he was two. The club has been a massive part of his life.
“He was a shy, nervous little boy, however over the years at Bannan Fitness Club he has totally transformed into a confident and passionate youngster who absolutely loves boxing.
“During his time being there he has took part in four charity boxing events. He has a talent that is undeniable and is all thanks to Bannan Fitness club and Pat Bannan.
“Pat is a massive idol in our community who runs the club out of his own time and for the benefits of others.
“I truly believe Joey will be a world champion boxer one day, however if they don’t get Bannan Fitness back up and running, he and so many others will miss out on so much.”
Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor added: “I was very disappointed to learn that the Janet Hamilton Centre cannot be used by the various groups who operate from there due to faults and repairs that need carried out.
“Airdrie Harriers and Bannan Fitness are two superb organisations that, between them, offer vital health, fitness and wellbeing opportunities to hundreds of young people and adults each week at the centre which is a massive benefit to the whole area.
“I hope that the centre can be reopened as soon as possible to let these groups return.”
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “The venue was closed as a matter of urgency for safety reasons based on the advice of an independent fire safety consultant and our own health and safety colleagues following an inspection.
“We are continuing to work with the groups affected to find suitable alternative provision for them while the work is carried out.
“No decision has been taken about the future of the centre.”
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