Concerns have been raised about young people being unable to use school pitches during the summer holidays.
Laura Young, who is known locally for her environmental campaigning, raised the issue on social media this month.
She expressed her shock at finding the “big new expensive sports facility” at her old school, Mearns Castle High, locked.
The secondary’s all-weather six-lane athletics track with a 3G sports pitch at its centre was unveiled last August.
(Image: Laura Young)
Laura said: “Shocking that a huge chunk of the park was taken to build this facility which is left locked with no access for kids.
“What are kids supposed to do for fun when they can’t access these types of spaces.
“So much for a legacy of sport a decade on from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.”
(Image: Laura Young)
As well as two girls who had managed to gain access through means which she did not wish to reveal, Laura also spotted eight kids wandering around looking to get in with no luck.
“Such a shame to see kids without access to these expensive facilities which I bet were built with the intention of encouraging young people into sport,” added Laura, who said those who want to use it, “better be ready to fork out” after looking at the hiring costs online.
“Imagine going to this school and not being able to use something that is yours (as a pupil) during the huge, long summer break when the weather is nicer than normal.
“Plus this is just one of the sites, across East Ren and other councils there are other locked up facilities.”
(Image: Laura Young)
Laura’s sentiments received support online, including from Barrhead charity Include Me 2 Club, who replied to Laura’s post that it was a “huge frustration in the area that all or most facilities are locked or restricted in some way."
"How can kids and young people be active, play and just be kids anymore?,” they added.
“You're right we need to engage, inspire and empower them to take ownership of their community."
(Image: Laura Young)
According to information available online, to book one of the council’s outdoor sports pitches, you have to be a registered approved club under their registration scheme.
A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said that the sports facilities are used by schools during term time and local community sports clubs use them “via competitively-priced lets run by East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure.”
"Synthetic pitches and athletics tracks at our schools have high construction and maintenance costs and can be easily damaged through inappropriate use if they are left unlocked,” they added.
"There have been numerous instances of costly damage caused to pitches when accessed without supervision.
"Use of the pitches at Mearns Castle High School is restricted to school use partly because of planning restrictions imposed at the time of construction in response to submissions by some local residents.
“As a result, there are no onsite toilet facilities for local sports clubs."
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