Bad blood between charities over destruction of neighbourhood centre
A community group has furiously refuted claims its staff vandalised another charity’s premises.
The Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre in Glasgow was vandalised last week causing extensive damage as well as the theft of vital equipment.
In an ususual step, the centre recruited a PR company to release a statement in which staff of Bluevale Community Club, who lease the premises from Reidvale, were blamed for vandalising barriers in the premises car park.
Tensions seem to have arisen between the two groups after a consultation about a prospective transfer of the premises in late 2023.
Reidvale said the tenure of Bluevale, which mostly offers sporting activities for young people, had no lease, no service agreement, and made no financial contribution, became unsustainable in terms of cost.
It consulted to find a long-term operator of the space, where applicants, including Bluevale Community Club were assessed against “clear, fair criteria.”
The Halliday Foundation was chosen and while Bluevale was offered the a space within the centre the offer was declined.
Julie Smillie, interim director at Reidvale Housing Association, which owns and operates the centre, said: “Last Friday evening, the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre was heavily vandalised, leaving behind extensive damage and a significant amount of missing equipment.
“Given recent notice and the pending departure of the Bluevale Club from the premises, we were concerned that there may be some form of reaction, so we took steps to secure an interdict to prevent unauthorised removal of property from the Centre.”
The press release then added: “On Friday evening Bluevale staff were observed damaging and disabling the barrier providing access to the car park.
“Despite the legal safeguard of the interdict, Reidvale staff found the centre ransacked: pool tables were slashed, CCTV cameras and wiring stripped, items including TVs and computers taken. Even the bar was found dismantled and its equipment removed.”
But Bluevale has hit back saying the statement implied its staff were responsible for the centre’s damage.
Kenneth Trainer, Bluevale training manager, told TFN: “We strongly refute any malicious allegations of theft or vandalism whether relating to our own property or that of others. Should these claims continue to be circulated or published, we will have no choice but to take legal advice.
“Furthermore no police reports have been made in relation to any alleged damage, and we have not been contacted by police about any investigation.
He added: “Bluevale Community Club operates lawfully and in full accordance with charity regulations. We take these matters seriously and will address any false claims appropriately.”
Asked to clarify whether a police complaint had been reported, a spokesperson from Reidvale Housing Association, said: "Reidvale Housing Association has reported an incident to the police of people damaging the barriers of the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre on Friday 8 August.
“We cannot comment further while this is being investigated by the police."
