Fanzone area ??

[BEARGER 1,829]

Not sure I quite get this?

 

A sports facility which was at the centre of a fan zone row that sparked a major political fall-out is set to be leased to Rangers Charity Foundation.

Councillors are being asked to approve a 25-year lease of the Ibrox Community Complex for £750 per year.

The site - across the road from Ibrox Stadium - will be leased from Glasgow Life to the charity.

But terms of the deal would prohibit the complex's use as a fan zone - and block alcohol sales on the site.

The foundation submitted a bid for the lease after the quality of the facility deteriorated due to budget constraints within Glasgow Life.

Backed by Rangers FC, the charity will invest around £250,000 in a replacement synthetic pitch and promote new initiatives, including promoting community women's football, employability and recovery programmes.

'Stoking sectarian bigotry'
Last year, controversy arose when Rangers were refused permission, by Glasgow Life, the authority's cultural and sporting arm, to use the complex as a fan zone.

It sparked a row amid allegations that the council's deputy leader David McDonald had intervened to block the move.

Labour and Tory politicians, who criticised the authority over the decision, were accused of stoking sectarian bigotry by council leader Susan Aitken.

"Glasgow Life has confirmed that no significant investment is planned due to competing priorities and other financial pressures," a report to councillors stated.

"The ICC has struggled to attract and maintain a core programme of users in recent years, with declining usage levels largely attributed to the quality of the facilities when compared to other nearby Glasgow Life venues."

It is proposed an advisory management board, made up of Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, Ibrox Primary School, the charity foundation and Rangers FC, should be formed to decide the programme of activities at the premises.

The report added: "Through community partnership and in collaboration with key stakeholders, the charity foundation would protect existing use of the venue by community groups and seek to significantly reanimate the use of the facility through additional community lets, making the ICC an improved and more sustainable community asset."

Public consultation on the proposed lease was held between June and August, with 758 responses.

'Redeploying staff'
"The consultation showed significant support for upgrading the facilities at the ICC and for the proposal put forward by the foundation," the report revealed.

A rent review would be carried out every five years. Councillors will meet on Thursday to make a decision on the proposal.

The council's report said: "Should the proposal be agreed, this will result in services currently delivered by Glasgow Life being ended.

"Glasgow Life would consult fully with staff and trade unions on the implications of this, redeploying affected staff to other Glasgow Life facilities."

Story provided by local democracy reporter Drew Sandelands

 

 

[BEARGER 1,829]

NEWS

City Council approves Foundation's Ibrox Community Complex Proposal

Thu 10th October 2019

Glasgow City Council has today (10 October 2019) approved the Rangers Charity Foundation’s proposal to revitalise the Ibrox Community Complex, via a long-term lease.

Backed by Rangers Football Club, the Foundation’s proposal will also enable an upgrade and significant boost to the use of the facility, making it an improved and more sustainable community asset.

Rangers Charity Foundation Director, Connal Cochrane, said: “The Rangers Charity Foundation exists to be a force for good on behalf of the Rangers Family, showing compassion to those in need, tackling inequalities and creating opportunities for people of all ages to change their lives for the better. 

“The Foundation and the club are currently key users of the facility, but we believe in its potential to be enjoyed by more people. In the past year, the Foundation has delivered twenty-six community programmes and activities, including many at the Ibrox Community Complex, to almost seven thousand people across education, employability, health and wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion.

“We believe that, with the club and local partners, we can create a thriving Ibrox Community Complex and look forward to working with the City Council and Glasgow Life to progress this exciting opportunity.”

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Chair of Glasgow City Council’s Contracts and Property Committee, said: “I am delighted that Glasgow City Council and Rangers Charity Foundation are working together on this lease and welcome the investment that will enable the continued use and upgrading of this community facility. 

“With input from the community and other stakeholders I’m sure the success of this model will be of great benefit to the local area.”

Glasgow Rangers’ Managing Director, Stewart Robertson, said: “I am delighted with the unanimous decision taken today by Glasgow City councillors. A long-term lease for the Rangers Charity Foundation is a vote of confidence in the Foundation and Rangers Football Club.

“We look forward to seeing the Ibrox Community Complex becoming an animated and busy facility, catering for many in our community. I appreciate the contribution by officers and councillors at the City Council and the officials at Glasgow Life who have all worked to deliver this positive development.”

[JohnMc 2,463]

Put bluntly Glasgow Council are bust, the equal pay issue has forced them to 'sell' or 'lease' almost all the physical assets they have to either raise or save money. From a number of perspectives this makes sense. It removes future costs from the council and provides an asset for the club and its ambitions. 

If it also signals a better relationship with our council too, then so much the better.