LIB DEMS WOULD RATHER HAVE A 'PUB' THAN FOOTBALL PARKS

The Lib-Dem councillor for Ralston would rather see what amounts to a pub being built at Penilee Playing Fields instead of a football academy for youngsters and a training facility for St Mirren.Jim Sharkey, who is secretary of Ralston Community Council and whose house looks on to the playing fields was speaking after he attended a public meeting called by Lib-Dem Councillor Nan Macgregor who opposes plans to redevelop the derelict playing fields and pavilion.


Mr Sharkey, who will be one of two Labour candidates in Ralston and Paisley East in the council elections in May, said:

"Councillor Macgregor told the public meeting she would rather the playing fields be given over to a local rugby club who had previously proposed building a licensed clubhouse beside the pitches and licensed premises is something the vast majority of people in Ralston don’t want to see there. I have been knocking on doors and the message I have been getting is that people just want something positive to happen to the Penilee Playing Fields as the place has been derelict for years. This is exactly what is being proposed."

A deal was struck between St Mirren and the Labour-led Renfrewshire Council for the playing fields to be transformed into a sports and football complex with the football club getting use of the grass parks and part of the changing rooms as a training facility. Youngsters from all over Renfrewshire would then be able to get football coaching from St Mirren staff there. The club would pay Renfrewshire Council rent for the use of the parks, make a capital contribution to the project and maintain the grass area. This would amount to £470,000 over the ten-year lease. An artificial turf park would also be built entirely for community use and the upgraded pavilion would have two fitness or dance class areas also for the local community to use.


Mr Sharkey added:

"It is quite apparent that the Lib Dems in Paisley don’t want St Mirren to have Penilee as a training ground and they are also depriving all youngsters in Renfrewshire the chance to attend a sports and football academy being coached by professionals there."It is a Labour-led council who will create this sports complex in partnership with the local football club. A vote for the Lib Dems is a vote against St Mirren as it has been made clear by Councillor Macgregor that she does not want St Mirren coming to Ralston."There has been a lot of misrepresentation going on about what is to happen to the playing fields.

"One of the so-called protesters who says she has the use of the playing fields for jogging failed to mention that she was going to be a Lib Dem candidate when her picture appeared in the local Press."I went along to the meeting to tell the truth about the proposals which are good for youngsters all over Renfrewshire – including kids from Ralston – and St Mirren, our local football team. They tried to turn into an old-fashioned Lib Dem election rally."Labour is supporting St Mirren by helping create a proper training facility for the club, I hope their supporters will remember that when it comes to casting their votes on

May 3."

Mr Sharkey’s Labour colleague, Councillor Rayleen Kelly said:

"I support Jim in his principled position. After 11 years of futile attempts by the local Lib Dem councillor to do something with Penilee Playing Fields and pavilion, the Labour administration has seized this opportunity to develop a plan which will not only benefit St Mirren, but the whole sports-minded community in Paisley and Renfrewshire."