A long-established Three Towns club who have been running for almost four decades will have a huge opportunity to expand their facilities after acquiring a North Ayrshire Council playing facility.
The Cabinet last Tuesday agreed the transfer of Ardeer Quarry Football Ground to the Scottish Incorporated Charitable Organisation TASS Community Sports, who run TASS Thistle FC.
They agreed the recommended terms of transfer at 10 per cent of the property valuation of £25,000 (totalling £2,500).
The transfer of the land will provide a sustainable base for local community activity focusing on football and physical activity.
The proposed uses include a range of events and activities which contribute to the club’s key objectives.
This reflects the condition of the facility, savings made against current upkeep and the potential social return on investment. A report also recommends that officers should be authorised to conclude the process under these terms.
Under the terms of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, community asset transfer provides an opportunity for people to be involved in developing and providing opportunities or services for their local communities.
It may also allow groups to develop commercial ventures, which will support community benefit. Asset transfer may also mean that public assets get used more frequently and more effectively.
Furthermore, community-led ownership may allow additional opportunities for groups to secure extra funding or resources.
The transfer of Ardeer Quarry Football Ground and adjacent land will provide a sustainable base for the local youth football provision.
The asset recently came back into the council’s operational responsibility after its lease was relinquished by KA Leisure and is not required for service delivery by the local authority.
The proposed uses include a range of events and activities which contribute to TASS Community Sports (TASS)’s charitable objectives.
The aim of the club is to use football to provide a fun, educational leisure time activity for boys and girls and so to help develop their physical and mental capacities and social skills.
TASS has been successfully running a football club in the heart of the local community for over 37 years.
Securing the ownership of their own ground will allow TASS to further develop in a variety of ways to better serve the community.
These include the opportunity to:
• develop a modern football facility, allowing the club to expand and grow; increase membership by at least another 150 children, thus widening their involvement with the local community
• encourage more children and families to be involved with the club’s activities and engage in a healthy lifestyle while having fun through playing football.
Local Councillor Davina McTiernan, who was unable to attend the meeting, passed on her thanks to officers on getting the report before Cabinet and also to Tass and all the volunteers who managed to get the project to this stage.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
