| Almost 2000 people have signed the petition, which will be handed over to council leader Rob Murray prior to the group’s meeting at the town’s public library.
Frustrated residents have been lobbying tirelessly for a community facility to cater for all ages, with local groups making do with church halls and other spaces to carry out activities in the meantime.
The community council originally wrote to the council to ask if Seaview House in Hill Street could be used as a community space, and were told no.
Next, they suggested moving the current staff of Invertay House in Maule Street to Seaview House, thus freeing up an entire building for community use. However, more bad news followed when the council said there wasn't sufficient room in Seaview House.
Residents therefore decided to take matters into their own hands by launching a petition and approached Monifieth Community Council and Monifieth Area Partnership for help and publicity.
Six weeks on, it will be handed over and subsequently passed on to the appropriate parties at the council.
Community Council vice-chairman Margaret Copland said today, “It’s a long, on-going situation.
“I’m also chairman of the local history society and, if you go back to community meetings 100 years ago, residents have been asking for community accommodation since then.
“It’s been seven years since I first called a public meeting in the Seaview School gym hall to try and get the council interested in a cross generation community facility.
“It keeps being brought to our attention there are church halls in Monifieth, but these are used to capacity and are Victorian age buildings.”
She continued, “We could have raised funds to build a hall, but we needed ground before we could get planning permission.
“We asked the council for a car park on Union Street, used by only 16 people between the hours of 9am and 4pm, but they wouldn’t give it to us.”
Mrs Copland went on to say groups such as Monifieth Amateur Dramatics and the girls’ football team are being forced to hold meetings at the village hall in Wellbank because of a lack of facilities.
She added that, with planning permission granted for new housing developments on the outskirts of the town, the need for community facilities would become even greater.
Residents have also voiced upset that Montrose is to benefit from a new £10 million swimming pool, while they continue to struggle for facilities.
Angus Council declined to comment in advance of the petition being received. |
