SHE is now the most powerful woman in Scotland. But while the Conservative party continued open warfare over Brexit negotiations, Nicola Sturgeon took time to recall her rebellious days occupying a community centre earmarked for closure due to cuts by the then Labour-controlled Glasgow City Council.
The First Minister visited the Kinning Park Complex in her Glasgow southside consistency – where she played a part in a 55-day sit-in to save the community centre in 1996 – on Friday to hear about their plans to develop the space, which the community said it would be “lost” without.
The successful occupation – which was largely staged by local mothers in the deprived area – kept it open and it is now independently run as a community social enterprise. It has just launched a bid to buy the building through a crowd funder.
Last week it also announced that it had been awarded a total of £1.2million by the Big Lottery and the Scottish Land Fund towards major repairs required which will help ensure its future is secured.
The building is used by about 400 people every week who attend a wide range of activities including weekly community meals, made by local volunteers using food from surplus food charity Fareshare.
The centre also runs children’s activities, hosts political meetings, film screenings, and fundraisers. It also runs coding workshops for refugees as well as bike repair drop-ins.
However the lack of funding for roof repairs saw snow come into the building last winter and buckets to collect rain water are scattered around rooms and corridors.
Those attending the meeting said the First Minister talked proudly about her part in the occupation and the about the sense of community everyone felt back then.
Director Martin Avila said: “It was great to hear about her long-standing affection for the centre and that she understands the importance of spaces like the KPC.”
Sturgeon added: “Kinning Park Complex has been at the heart of the community for decades – providing space for a wide variety of sports and recreation groups.
“More than 20 years ago the community came together to fight plans to close the building down, and I have very fond memories of the sit-in that ultimately helped save it. I was delighted to join them this week to congratulate them on their news of Lottery funding – and hear about their excellent plans for the months and years ahead.”
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