LARKHALL residents are being invited to make their voices heard on the future of the town’s leisure centre. 

A public meeting will be held on April 24 by Larkhall Community Council to discuss the state of the venue and the impact it is having on the town’s 17,000 residents. 

A petition calling for the centre to be improved has received 1500 signatures and the community group now wants to hear locals’ opinions on proposals for it.

Tommy McPhee, chair of Larkhall Community Council, says leaving locals with no facilities for health and leisure activities is simply not an option. 

He said: “We have a growing population in Larkhall with many young families moving into the area. With the range of facilities in the town already diminished, with the council now also announcing the closure of the local sports barn, we have very limited local access to public leisure and fitness facilities.

“Travelling further afield is simply not an option for many people in the current cost-of-living crisis, meaning those on the lowest incomes suffer the most.

“In addition to their commitment to tackling poverty, SLC has a duty to ensure accessible facilities to support a good level of health and fitness in the communities they serve.

“To date, over 1500 local residents have already spoken by signing our petition, expressing their strength of feeling on this loud and clear. I urge them to join us at our meeting next Monday and make their voices heard. Local councillors, party leaders, key SLC and SLLT officers, MSPs and MPs have been invited to attend and this is an opportunity to ask questions about the possible options on the table and seek reassurances on the short and long-term future of our leisure facility.”

The community group believes the 59-year-old building is no longer fit for purpose, with repairs and updates needed.

South Lanarkshire Council has stated there is a shortfall in funding to repair the leisure centre, but has plans to refurbish the site once it reduces the funding gap.

The event will take place at 7pm in Larkhall Academy and attendees are being asked to register online.