Residents of a Dundee housing estate claim they are being “fobbed off” after the council said it does not have money to rebuild a fire-ravaged community pavilion.
At Thursday night’s budget approval meeting, it was revealed the council would not provide a replacement for the Mill O’Mains community.
The pavilion, which had been a hub for children’s clubs and classes, was destroyed in a blaze in July and its remains were demolished at a cost of £15,000 to the local authority.
Yvonne Mullen, chairwoman of the Mill O’Mains Community Pavilion action group, said: “Our group has been given a room in the local sheltered complex and, while we are grateful to the pensioners for allowing us to use the building, we all thought this was going to be temporary.
“We, the community, have lots of questions we have not been allowed to ask yet. We are being fobbed off and we’re all fed up.
“We are being told we can continue in the sheltered lounge, in the area the local pensioners use. While we are grateful for the use of this place, it is not fit for purpose.”
A craft group is being run at the complex, but it is claimed there is not enough space for equipment.
Dundee budget: No cash to rebuild burned-out Mill o’ Mains pavilion
Community groups have reportedly been told that the building will be adapted and extended for their use.
Yvnonne added: “This is good news but can you imagine having youth groups in there?
“The youths of the area are being let down. We are volunteers and are continuing to try and stay consistent to the community, but this is becoming more difficult with blocks being placed in our way continuously.
“Before the fire in the pavilion the council would not even replace heating system, which they put in place wrongly in the first place.
“We have been ignored and I think its time for the people of Mill O’Mains to stand up and let the council know we are not happy with the outcome.”
A Dundee City Council Spokesperson said: “The council has held a number of meetings with representatives from the pavilion group and local elected members to discuss community facilities within Mill O Mains.
“As has been discussed at these meetings there is no funding available for rebuilding the pavilion.
The council continues to work with the pavilion group and the community to ensure temporary arrangements are in place and longer term possibilities are still under discussion.”
