Sunday opening

Sunday opening of the Lewis sports centre has been rejected by the council's policy committee.

Councillors on the committee ruled out a trial due to the lack of staff willing to work as well as costs.

However, the issue is set to go to a vote at the full council meeting later today.

Councillors Zena Stewart and Philip McLean if opening Ionad Spors Leòdhais for a minimum of three hours each Sunday for a trial 12 months was feasible.

The query related only to the indoor facilities and excluded the outdoor pitches and running track.

Council committee votes over sports centre Sunday opening

5 October 2016

The committee voted 9-2 that the proposal would "not be operationally feasible."

Costs are estimated at £15,600 at a time when council services are being cut back though some income would be raised from users fees and any increase in memberships that result from the additional opening hours.

Following a consultation of permanent staff, not enough sports centre workers indicated they were willing to work on Sundays.

All sports centre staff - including those who do not want to work on Sundays -would have to be consulted over changing their job contracts if any trial led to longer hours opening.

The meeting heard that the Stornoway sports centre currently opened for 80 hours weekly, more than similar facilities across the Western Isles.

Cllr Philip Mclean noted the chief executive's report to the committee did not mention the islands "cultural traditions" as previous reports did. neither did it highlight the health benefits.

Council boss Malcom Burr pointed out the report focused on the specifics Mr McLean's query over the "feasibility" of opening.

Mr Mclean said church goes could use a sports centre between Sunday services.

He added: "Access is also denied to people of different faiths and people of no faith," as well as visitors and tourists.

The council permitted church services to take place on Sundays in the council-owned Stornoway primary school, he said.

Mr Burr highlighted that arrangement does require any council staff to work on Sundays.

Cllr Norman Macleod said the Stornoway facility was opened more hours than the Harris and Benbecula facilities while Castlbay sports centre only opened half the time.

He added: "In fairness, the Stornoway sports centre is already meeting the needs of the people of the island."

Ness councillor Iain Mackay pointed out the proposal sought more hours for Stornoway while the facility at Lionel suffered cuts.