‘DISAPPOINTMENT’ and ‘miffed’ were the words used to describe the RH Youth Organisation’s (RHYO) reaction after their proposal to lease land behind Lockerbie Ice Rink failed to get the support of councillors.
The organisation had applied for a ten year lease of the 8657 square metre site in Glasgow Road for £1, with a view to developing a ‘community complex’. And their ultimate hope was to then go for a full community asset transfer of the former caravan site.
However, the members of the Lockerbie and Lochmaben Common Good Fund Committee last week decided not to back the bid, much to the group’s disappointment.
The councillors’ recommendation will now go to the economy and infrastructure committee to be ratified.
A letter penned by the RHYO’s board was read aloud at Tuesday’s meeting of Lockerbie and District Community Council, thanking them for their support and outlining their next steps for the group.
It stated: “To the community council, thanks for the opportunity to speak in response to the recommendations made at Wednesday’s Common Good meeting in regards to the land behind the ice rink. On behalf of the RH Youth Organisation board we would like to share our disappointment at the recommendations.
“We strongly believe that the RH Youth Organisation does, and will continue, to benefit the youngsters and the wider community. We offer a safe and affordable welcoming space which, by all our feedback and testimonies, is something that is both needed and welcomed.
“Although our journey with this community asset is not set in stone yet, we still have the economic infrastructure committee meeting on the 4th of February and we are asking that for you to continue with your support and stand with us in our quest to secure the land for the benefit for all.”
Commenting further on the RHYO’s position, chief executive Robert Hume added: “We wanted to get the message across to you that it’s the young people that have been affected. We still have use of the land until next year but these are young people’s ideas that have been shot down and we’ve had parents, guardians, community members and community groups that are a wee bit miffed off about it.”
