20/12/2009Caledonian Centre
Built by Lanarkshire County Council in 1974 it has been described as 'antiquated' in the ReGen - Anitiquated ? after only 35 years?
It is a building - and by extension - a facility for the people of Baillieston that has never been on Glasgow's radar.
It is a disgrace that this building was allowed to go into such a state of disrepair as soon as it came under Glasgow.
It was the then Director of Parks who put the boot in for it to be run down.
This self important little man has a lot to answer for plus the Councillors who did not put up a fight but only were concerned in looking after their own position.
My son and daughter went to fencing and gymnastics in what was then a wonder place to visit and they are now in their early forties.
The same thing happened with Daldowie Crematorium this was built and paid for by the people of Lanarkshire, all the towns put towards this as you can see by the Coat of Arms of each Town if you look up at the stained glass when you are in the Hall of Rememberance you will see the crests all round the top of the walls.
That is if they have not been removed, the first thing Glasgow did was to close the garden of rememberance under the instructions of another liitle important man.
How do I know all this ? because I was the last Superintendent & Registrar and I came under Lanakshire County Council until Local Government Disorganisation.
I clearly recall having a conversation with my then Convenor when I asked him why he was not stopping Daldowie from coming under Glasgow.
His answer was " I could not do that as it would go against me for a job in the Region "
Daldowie's loan had been paid in full for the building of it and it was handed to Glasgow on a plate and he got his job in the Region in Motherwell.
I am now told there are various Crematoria in parts of what was Lanarkshire, such a shame when they had their very own paid for by the people.