The closure of a popular outdoor education centre used by thousands of Fife pupils would represent a “betrayal,” said a senior politician.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman, said she was alarmed over the future of the Ardroy outdoor education centre, run by Fife Council in Argyll.
In operation for more than 40 years, its closure is now being considered in a package of cost-cutting measures.
However, Ms Smith is set to fight the threat, insisting that thousands of children from Fife’s network of primary schools routinely benefit from the “outdoor learning opportunities” on offer at Ardroy.
She said any moves to scrap the centre would leave Fife Council’s commitment to outdoor education “in tatters.”
With a final decision on Ardroy set to be taken when the local authority sets its budget next month, Ms Smith insists the time to fight closure has arrived.
“For more than 40 years, Ardroy has been delivering inspirational outdoor learning opportunities to generations of Fife residents and beyond,” the MSP said.
“Each year primary seven pupils from schools across Fife take part in a week’s residential outdoor education programme.
“I have received letters and emails from pupils, teachers and adults who have enjoyed their time at Ardroy.
“They speak of hugely worthwhile experiences there,” Ms Smith continued. “I hope it can still be similarly worthwhile for future generations of Scotland’s children.”Fying in the face of promisesMs Smith said closure would fly in the face of promises made by the SNP/Lib Dem administration on Fife Council.
“Both the SNP and Liberal Democrat parties made the commitment in their 2007 Holyrood manifestos to provide outdoor education to Scotland’s young people,” the MSP pointed out.
“In power together, they are doing the opposite and scrapping outdoor education for Fife children.”
Ms Smith is now urging parliamentary rivals to intervene in a bid to save Ardroy.
“I have written to Mike Russell MSP, SNP cabinet secretary for education, asking him to look at what support the Scottish Government can give to secure the future running costs of the centre,” she said.
Meanwhile, online petitions and a Facebook site set up in a bid to stave off the threat of closure have gathered the support of more than 3400 people.
A statement on the www.saveardroy.com site warns the outlook is bleak.
“Action is required now,” it states. “Doing nothing will lead toclosure.”
The head of Fife Council’s leisure and cultural services department, Grant Ward, previously admitted the centre is being looked at by council officials as part of the budget-setting process but insisted that no decisions had yet been taken.
“The future of Ardroy outdoor education centre is currently under review as part of the council’s budget review exercise,” he said.
“No decisions have been taken on any savings proposals and won’t be until the full council budget meeting on February 10.”