Three councillors have united to urge people to step in and run a community facility

Ward 7 representatives are hosting a crunch meeting tomorrow to ask for volunteers to set up a management committee at Grieve Road Community Centre.

This follows a controversial decision - carried by just one vote at a recent Municipal Buildings meeting - in favour of retaining the centre over its Paton Street counterpart in the same ward.

There had been a campaign to save Paton Street, which has been closed for more than a year due to damage caused by a deliberate fire.

A management committee had been set up to run the hall, but elected members opted to go for Grieve Road instead, despite the fact there are no officials in place to run it.

Councillor John Crowther has now urged people within the ward to back the decision.

He said: "The bottom line is there is no management committee.

"We don't want to see the facility becoming a white elephant."

Councillor Natasha Murphy who carried the final vote despite supporting the Paton Street campaign, said: "I want people to back the facility and I am hoping we change the name to Ward 7 Community so it's across the whole ward, a hub for the whole community.

"I would urge anyone from any walk of life, age and experience to come forward to help to run it.

"When you live in the community you have your finger on the pulse and it is better that someone who lives in the community runs it.

"We are looking for people with different skills, from someone who can post something on Facebook to making a cup of tea."

Councillor Tommy McVey says it's important for people to come forward.

He said: "Maintaining community facilities in this area is my main priority, so it’s imperative that we have a good turnout for the meeting.

"Failing that, we have to look at what further options are available because, quite frankly, it will be unacceptable if this area is left with nothing - especially when other areas of Inverclyde have had significant levels of investment in their community facilities over the last few years.

"In last year's budget £830k was earmarked for investment in Boglestone Community Centre and £470k was allocated to the Lady Octavia Sports Centre.

"I don’t think I am being unreasonable when I ask for money to be invested in community facilities in this area”

Tomorrow night's meeting will be held in the Grieve Road Community Centre and it starts at 7.15pm.