
cialis brand cheap

EXACTLY two years after it faced closure and sale, Glen Kin Outdoor Centre near Dunoon has been saved, as its trustees join forces with the Church of Scotland to continue to provide an outdoor recreation facility for young people.
The Glen Kin Trust had announced in March 2008 that the property was to be put up for sale, albeit with great reluctance, after 30 years of provision on a voluntary basis.
Groups which use the centre reacted with dismay to the news, saying that it was an irreplaceable facility and that other alternatives should be considered.
With the trust saying that increasing costs and decreasing demands made closure unavoidable, the future for Glen Kin seemed very bleak.
However, in an encouraging turnaround of events, chair Scott Bryson confirmed at the trust’s AGM recently: “The centre is no longer for sale.”
The trust is forging a new partnership with the Church of Scotland under its Youth Work Strategy for Priority Areas.
This developing relationship had, he told the meeting, brought investment, ideas and a renewed enthusiasm for the development of the centre.
Already, various improvements to the interior and exterior of the Glen Kin buildings have been carried out; occupancy rates and income remained consistent with the previous year; and main user groups had affirmed their continued support and intent to use the facility.
The new agreement with the Church of Scotland will see the Glen Kin Trust retaining ownership of the property, but the church will assume day to day responsibility for its operation and development, including publicity, bookings, activities, repairs and maintenance.
The centre was originally established in 1978 as a facility for young people, with youth organisations such as the Scouts and Guides making regular use of the centre. However, in recent years, it has been opened up to non-youth groups, who have become passionate supporters of what they say is a unique and very special amenity.
Rob Neeson of the Nine Waves Tai Chi group has been a regular visitor to Glen Kin. He told the Standard: “I’m very pleased that it’s been saved.
“The meeting was very positive. It seemed certain that Glen Kin would be sold, but thankfully at the eleventh hour it was pulled back from the brink.
“It’s great to see that lots of resources are being committed to it, and that it is being upgraded - it’s really good.”
A representative from a local youth group which regularly visits Glen Kin said: “The young people who use the centre are highly delighted that they are still able to go - and that’s the main thing.
“If we didn’t have a place like Glen Kin there are so many things that we would simply be unable to offer our young members. It gives them freedom but at the same time is safe and secure.
“It is also good that new relationships are being built once again with the type of groups which used to support Glen Kin - Scouts, Guides and Boy’s Brigade, for example. This means that there will be a lot more use made of the place. We are delighted.”
However, although the spectre of sale and closure has disappeared from Glen Kin, its supporters still face another potential threat - the proposed Dunoon wind farm development at Glen Saul.
This was the subject of considerable discussion at the trust AGM, with the eventual decision that the trustees should participate in the consultation exercise on the wind farm planning proposals and that it would “vigorously oppose the development.”
Representatives from Kilmun Community Council, which also objects to the proposals, attended the AGM to express their views, and the situation is causing concern for the trust and the users of Glen Kin.
One woman whose children have enjoyed trips to Glen Kin over the years told the Standard: “It’s great that it’s not being sold anymore, but the wind farm aspect is very worrying.
“One of the great things about Glen Kin is its peace and tranquility. We are concerned about how the wind farm will affect that - we don’t want it to threaten Glen Kin’s future, not now it’s been saved.”
The Glen Kin Trust is finalising its response to the wind farm proposals but is unequivocal in its objection.
Scott Bryson said: “We recognise that sources of renewable energy are required, and we could be accused of taking a ‘not in my back yard’ stance, but we still believe it is wrong to consider this development in this place at this time.
“We have tried to picture the scene, standing at the farmhouse at Glen Kin, looking towards the Stron Saul hill beyond. Instead of glorious peace, isolation and unspoilt panorama of hills and forests, there is a different view - eight industrial scale wind turbines, 100m high and dominating the skyline.
“These will disrupt the environment for users of the centre, walkers, animals and birds.
“We strongly oppose the development and intend to urge Argyll and Bute Council to reject the application.”
