A torn-up sports pitch in Paisley is in danger of being closed off until cash is found to carry out much-needed repairs.
Cracks and holes are scattered across the surface of the multi-use games area (MUGA) at Gallowhill Community Centre.
Officers have said the facility has been vandalised and need to consider potential health and safety (H&S) risks for users.
But politicians have accused Renfrewshire Council of allowing the MUGA to fall into an “appalling state”.
West Scotland Conservative MSP Russell Findlay said: “The Gallowhill pitch has long been neglected and allowed to fall into serious state of disrepair.
“But closing it would be a betrayal of the local community, especially young people.
“Children across Scotland have already suffered the impact of lockdown and we should be doing everything possible to encourage them to be active, which helps physical and mental wellbeing.”
An email from the council’s lead facilities manager, which has been seen by the Express, cast doubt over the future of the facility.
“This pitch has been vandalised and is in very poor condition,” it said.
“We need to consider if this presents a H&S risk for the users – we may have no option but to close off until there is budget available for a pitch refurbishment.”
Councillor Neill Graham, Conservative group leader, said this “fantastic asset” was important to the Gallowhill community.
He added: “They have allowed it to deteriorate into an appalling state and that has been completely unacceptable.
“Our young people in particular would be devastated by the gates being shut at Gallowhill and I am determined to stop that from happening.”
When contacted by the Paisley Daily Express, Renfrewshire Council said no decision had been taken on the future of the facility as of yet.
A proposal to repair the pitch was put forward as part of You Decide – a programme which allows local people to put forward ideas for infrastructure spending in Renfrewshire.
However, it was not successful in securing enough votes to win funding through this initiative.
Councillor Cathy McEwan, an SNP rep for Gallowhill, said: “This particular facility has been subjected to several instances of vandalism and was unfortunately unsuccessful in securing investment in the recent You Decide funding process.
“The residents of Gallowhill reject the Conservatives at every election and won’t be fooled by this passing interest from a councillor and MSP who have done nothing for communities like Gallowhill for generations.”
Councillor Jim Paterson, Councillor McEwan’s ward and party colleague, suggested the MUGA has been earmarked for funding in the next phase of a parks and play areas fund.
He said: “The funding which has been used to improve play parks across Renfrewshire and soon to be in Gallowhill has been a cornerstone of the SNP administration’s budgets which Mr Findlay’s Conservative colleagues, including Councillor Graham, have consistently voted against at every opportunity.
“Councillor McEwan and I have already discussed this particular MUGA and park with the relevant council officers and look forward to seeing investment in the next phase of the SNP’s ongoing commitment to improving play parks and green spaces.”
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