Karate club blasts South Lanarkshire Leisure budget 'hit-list' as 21 community venues face the axe

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A karate club which has been training members in South Lanarkshire for over three decades has hit out after discovering two of their venues could be facing the chop.Kihonkai Karate Academy has delivered authentic Shotokan Karate in Duncanrig Sports Centre in East Kilbride since 1987 but soon could have nowhere to train due to South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) budget cuts.The well-used facility, enjoyed by hundreds of members of multiple community sports clubs, are among 21 South Lanarkshire venues facing closure as part of the Trust's £4million cost-cutting measure.It is understood clubs were given no prior consultation and have until April 1 to find alternative locations.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android South Lanarkshire Council told Lanarkshire Live that "every effort will be made" to accommodate existing lets.Member and administrator for Kihonkai Karate Academy, Karen Ferguson, said the news is "devastating" and a "huge blow" to so many who attend the club for mental, physical and social benefits.Karen said: "This is a huge blow for all the clubs that run from here.

So many people attend these clubs for their mental health and the social aspect of it. Closing so many sports venues is devastating for our community."It's leaving so many local clubs with absolutely nowhere to go as the