Council to enter into discussions with local community group on running of synthetic pitch and pavilion in Springburn Park

Published: 16 March 2023

Glasgow City Council is to enter into discussions with Brunswick Community Development Trust, a local voluntary organisation, on the lease of Springburn Park Synthetic Pitch and Pavilion.

These discussions came about after the Trust submitted proposals to run the venue as part of the People Make Glasgow Communities (PMGC) programme.

The PMGC programme asks interested organisations, groups, and individuals to become involved in the delivery of local services and projects by operating and occupying venues in their communities. The programme has delivered a number of successful operations at city facilities, such as Park Villa Football Development at Glasgow Club Drumoyne, Pollok United Nethercraigs at Nethercraigs Sports Complex and Shettleston Community Sports Trust at Greenfield Football Centre.

The Brunswick Community Development Trust proposals centred on how the organisation would use the 3.2acre site, which includes an 11-a-side synthetic pitch, changing facilities, toilets, and an office space. The pavilion - built in 1977 - benefited from extensive repairs in 2014, including re-roofing, a new water heating system, a new fire alarm system and full internal redecoration.

The People Make Glasgow Communities team worked with organisations on their proposals, with feedback being offered after initial submissions to allow amended and improved proposals to be made before the final decision on who should be offered the lease. The PMGC team was joined by the Community Asset Working Group consisting of officers from Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life in assessing the proposals.

The Brunswick Community Development Trust's proposal centres on both community and commercial use for the pitch, with local teams having first priority to bring community benefit and the retention of long-standing fee-paying lets. The pitch would be accessible seven days a week, create work and volunteering opportunities for local young people, and the Trust is looking to offer 'twilight' football on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays in partnership with the council, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, to tackle antisocial behaviour in the local community.

The assessment of their proposal found that Brunswick Community Development Trust was embedded in the local area, with a high level of experience in running community facilities for community and commercial use.  It was also found that their community consultation around the proposal for the Springburn Park facility had a very high response level in the local area.

It was therefore recommended that the Brunswick Community Development Trust would initially enter into a short-term licence to occupy for 12 months with ongoing monitoring and support being provided in advance of negotiations for an off-market letting.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Neighbourhoods Services and Assets at Glasgow City Council, said: "The synthetic pitch and pavilion at Springburn Park is a key facility for this part of the city, and the response of the local community to the proposals of the Brunswick Community Development Trust for its future use showed the support for these. We will now begin negotiations with the Trust around a lease for the venue as we continue the People Make Glasgow Communities programme, which is delivering community empowerment to neighbourhoods across the city."