A petition has been launched calling on West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) to reconsider its decision to sell a “vital” Clydebank community centre.

We previously reported that 'for sale' signs had appeared outside of Clydebank East Community Centre (CECC) in Whitecrook just one day after it closed in March.

The council later confirmed that it is marketing the property.

Clydebank Post: Now, a petition titled ‘Halt the sale of CECC’ has been created by a “deeply concerned” local resident urging the local authority to explore other options for the building, which is located on North Elgin Street.

So far, it has gathered nearly 200 signatures.

It reads: “I am a resident of Whitecrook, Clydebank and the impending sale of our beloved Clydebank East Community Centre deeply concerns me.

“This centre is not just a building; it's a vital part of our community. The centre has been serving us for decades, providing space for local events, educational classes and social activities.

“It is an integral part of our community fabric that fosters unity among us. The proposed sale threatens to rip this fabric apart.

“According to the WDC's own data from 2019, over 1,000 residents regularly use this centre for various activities (source: WDC).

“This clearly shows how important this facility is to us. We understand that there may be financial considerations behind the proposed sale but we believe that preserving communal spaces should take precedence over monetary gains.

“We urge those in power to reconsider their decision and explore other ways to address any financial issues without selling off our cherished community assets.”

The decision to close CECC followed a review of seven community facilities across West Dunbartonshire with options for each including Community Asset Transfer, making lease arrangements for the property, investigating alternative uses, or potentially marketing for sale.

A letter, which was sent out to groups who used the Whitecrook centre at the end of January, noted that two other centres were being leased by community groups with leases for a further two centres to groups in progress.

However, at that time there had been “no community expressions of interest made for the three remaining centres”; Clydebank East, Skypoint in Faifley, and Bowling – all of which closed on March 29.

It is understood that a community group submitted a note of interest in leasing CECC to the council. This is said to have been received on March 25.

At present, there is no confirmed market value or details of the centre available on WDC's website.

To view the petition visit HERE.

A WDC spokesperson said: “The centre closed following the review of community facilities agreed as part of the council’s 2023/24 budget setting in response to a £21million funding gap.

"As no community interest was received in the last year, organisations were advised the building would be marketed and they would still be able to register their interest in the building as part of this process.”