The Insty

[markinchman]

Last year there were rumours that the institute was getting knocked down for housing which was denied by the council.
There was a story in the Courier the other day saying it was happening again, something about the council getting £10 million for it?

Anyone know whats going on?

We all know the insty is crap but its part of many a legend and home of the splashy!!

[Mark]

Here's the gazette's take on the situation

Selling that land for housing would just confirm that the council has no regard for the people of Glenrothes, and a serious lack of knowledge about what actually builds community.

However, it looks to me like it's been only been presented as a hypothetical option so far and the SNP guy might just be using that to score some political points.

Maybe Slim will post the letter he's planning on writing in this forum - it covers much of what most people will think, and maybe we can get some numbers behind it on this site. (If it is actually a real possibility).

[slim7]

Here is the (updated) letter, I sent it to the paper Today.

I, like tens of thousands of other local residents, have grave concerns about the plans to close the Fife Institute and sell the land for housing purposes. Considering the size of this town and the amount of people already living here, there is little enough to do at the best of times.

If anything, we should be looking at building more facilities like the Institute in Glenrothes that can be used by people of all ages to enjoy healthy and active hobbies as well as creating much needed jobs. I bet the same people who advocate the closure of the Institute are the first to complain about the problems of anti-social behaviour, vandalism and suchlike. Their vision seems to be the need for houses, but nothing for the residents of these houses to do. This can only lead to a worsening in the social problems that already exist in the town and it cannot be allowed to happen at any cost.

An alternative new Sports facility in Kirkcaldy would also be of little consolation to the residents of Glenrothes, many people who use the Institute (which includes a large percentage of young people) are unable to drive, our inadequate, unreliable and overpriced public transport system is a joke and would make it extremely hard and unrewarding for people to travel to and from any such facility outwit the town itself.

[mcwesty2000]

This is the next worse thing to happen in a long line of disasters for Glenrothes. First the Ice Rink goes, then our Cinema, and now our swimmingpool and sports complex! The whole town should be up in arms on this. We should start a petition and have protests outside Fife House!

Maybe I took that too far... but I see this as is a gradual errosion of all our facilities. Glenrothes will just become a big housing and industrial estate in the end if this isnt stopped!

Whats gonna be next? The Rothes Halls? The bowling alley? our Schools? The College....? When will it stop??

[markinchman]

I would be up for organising a petition to stop the closure. I use the institute at least once a week but that’s not what would bother me. Glenrothes would have absolutely ZERO community based entertainment or leisure facilities. While the bowling alley hardly counts I think that would be the only thing left. And yes of course the councillors would be up in arms at the rise in anti-social behaviour that would no doubt happen.
Glenrothes as a town is already a laughing stock and this serves only to make it worse.
The swimming pool in Kirkcaldy is pretty rubbish, the only reason I use the institute's is because it's local, I'd have no motivation at all to go to Kirkcaldy on a week night to swim.

I think there will be a lot of complaints and rejections about this from all sorts of people all over Glenrothes. It can't be allowed to happen.

[slim7]

I will lend my full support to any campaign or petition that is set up, and i'd be willing to do some activity too.

[Mark]

I just set up an online petition over here, just in case:
www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/FifeInstitute/
Hope you don't mind Slim, but I used your letter as the meat of the statement.
If it comes to light that there's a serious threat then I'll start to publicise it pretty quickly.
Cheers, and go sign the petition! It's only got one signature so far.
I have to log in to see the overall numbers, so I'll keep you up to date.

[slim7]

Well played Mark, i'll try to get some sigs.

[Mark]

I'll show the stats here, and update this post whenever I get the chance (you might have to refresh your page to see the new stats):

Go here to add your name:
www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/FifeInstitute/

Here are the comments so far:

• Scandalous to even think about this. the town would die more than it already is.
  
• Ridiculous idea. Common sense needed. We need to open more sport centres, not close them. We are already falling years behind other European countries in sport and fitness as it is.
  
• A town the size of Glenrothes deserves a decent sports facility, so instead of shutting it down it should be getting upgraded. No wonder we are so poor at sports compared with other industrial nations if this is the attitude. I do however agree with Kirkcaldy getting a sports facility too, I believe there is room for both,
  
• Please keep it open, I use it frequently
  
• Surely there are enough problems among the youth off today without closing the institute and creating more.
  There are few enough amenities in Glenrothes without taking away the town's main leisure complex. Not exactly conducive to healthy living either.
  
• This would be a disgrace if it goes ahead!
  
• It's the only leisure facility left in this town apart from the bingo clubs . We need some form of leisure facilities even if you redevelop the current site into a leisure park .
  
• I totally agree with the petition attached - and could add much more. However, I am dealing with this in other ways too.
  
• This is a well used Community facilities why close it. For a plastic pitch at Methil
  
• Closing the "fifey" would be a crime!
  
• KEEP IT OPEN
  
• Growing up in Glenrothes, the Institute was one of few places you could walk to during holidays. You can't walk, as a young child, to Kirkcaldy & in this day & age not many parents will allow a primary school child to take the bus to Kirkcaldy alone. Glenrothes is more than large enough to need it's own sports facilities. Anyone thinking of closing the institute, without a local replacement should be ashamed.
  
• Save the institute!
  
• There is little enough to do in Glenrothes without closing the Institute.
  
• I used the fife institute all through my life. It would be a sad lost to the children and adults of Glenrothes if it was to close. I have learned to play tennis, football, badminton, hockey, swimming, tae kwon do, five-a-side, squash and trampolining here. These sports can only enhance the community. To take it away will be devastating to the community. Don't take my fife institution away.
  kids already have nothing to do in Glenrothes and so go around smashing windows. the sorts centre is all they've got.
  
• Its great for the community. Its got lots of facilities to keep kids of the street. There will be lots of clubs that people go to, so will no longer be able to go.
  
• I use the institute daily and it would be tragic if it closed.
  Glenrothes has absolutely nothing to do in it as it is, closing the institute down would be a nightmare!!!
  
• More youth becoming fat & lazy.
  
• This would have a detrimental effect on education, health, fitness and recreation across all age ranges of Glenrothes.
  
• What is the point in schools promoting healthy living and fitness if you are going to take away the closest place they have?
  
• I've used the sports centre since i was a baby, i learned to swim there and it would be a shame to lose it to make way for more houses.
  
• Councils say they want healthy children, so why take away a facility that can help with this???
  
• The Fife Institute has provided sport&leisure facilities for my friends and I for years and the possibility of it closing is appauling to me. I'm sure I speak for many of Glenrothes' inhabitants.
  
• SAVE THE INSTITUTE!
  
• I spent a huge part of my childhood doing all sorts of activities and sports at the Fife Institute, as did all my friends. I still regularly use the Insti to this day and feel that it would be a travesty to Glenrothes & the local area if it had to give way for housing. I'm all for growing the town and attracting new people to buy their own homes in Glenrothes but surely this growth is even more reason to keep a facility like the Fife Institute. Instead of demolishing it I am of the view that Fife Council should be investing in FIPRE in order to improve the facilities and turn it into a modern sports facility to be proud of. I agree that the Council should seek to create a situation where women employees receive equal pay as men but why should this be to the detriment of the ordinary people who have for years enjoyed using the facilities on offer at the Insti. Where is the link? I fail to see it. Why should we suffer? Bad idea. Save the Insti!!!
  
• I work in a school and we take the kids here for swimming lessons. i also attend excersize classes here would be a shame to see it go.
  
• The FIPRE was where I trained and won many gymnastics competitions. It would be disasterous to take that opportunity away from todays youth.
  
• save the fifey - you know you want too!!
  
• Get rid of the incompetents at the Council, who brought about this debacle.
  
• What about the Keeping Children Active Campagin, also alot of adults use the facility and it would be a great loss to the community.
  
• This is madness. There's little enough to do in Glenrothes already without removing one of the only lesuire facilities in the town. Who want to live in place where there's nowt but housing and 99p shops? Get a grip Fife Council and make your saving somewhere else - perhaps you should stop sending your sick staff for tarot card readings in posh hotels?
  
• Think that losing the Fife Institute to even more houses, would be a real shame,what are the kids going to do?this will lead to even more trouble in Grothes!
  
• I would be appauled if the Fife Institute was closed.
  
• This is a horrific plan, that shows that the council has little or no respect for the residents of Glenrothes, in this day and age, where children and adults are more obese than ever, and ASBOs are thrown about like cheap confetti, we need places like the "insty" to promote and encourage healthy excercise and to provide activitys that dont involve bus shelters, cider, and cigarettes...
  
• You must be joking! Close Fife Institute - I cannot believe Fife Council are even considering this. Please reconsider.
  
• I think it is an outrage that the thought of closing the fife institute even crossed fife councils mind. Its a known fact that cramming more and more people into a small space with little to do leads to social unrest and a rise in crime, so think again.
  
• I think its is ridiculous that again these facilities are being taken from the young people of glenrothes area, what is going to be left for them to do? take drugs,drink and cause trouble! leave them something to do! it really angers me, there is little to do as it is!
  
• As chair of PSF Community Council we are totally opoosed to the proposals and will fight as long as it takes to retain and improve facilities in Glenrothes. We have set up a working group to fight the proposed closure
  
• I use the sports institute twice a week and would really miss it if it wasn't there. the Council should not be allowed to get away with demolition!!
  
• As someone who grew up in Glenrothes and frequently used the facilities at the Institute, I am both shocked and saddened at this ludicrous proposal.A town as big as Glenrothes needs more not less facilities for its citizens.
  
• TERRIBLE DECSION TO CONSIDER CLOSING THE INSTITUTE
  
• I am a very fit 55 year old and can only get a proper fitness swim at the institute. I only have "fun" pools in Leven and St. Andrews near me which are hopeless for serious swimming. I think that a lot of people, including Fife Council, think that the Institute is only used by Glenrothes residents. It is, after all, called Fife Institute, and is popular with residents and voters throughout Fife. It is shocking that on one hand, the politicians are encouraging people to lead healthy lifestyles, then propose closing a facility like this. Iused to work in the Glenrothes area and used to swim 4 out of 5 lunch hours each week and I know a lot of other people who lived outwith Glenrothes area but worked in the town did the same.I am extremely upset and angry especially now that I have taken early retirement and have been enjoying my swims as part of my fitness regime despite having to drive from the East Neuk.
  
• Glenrothes has very little facilities. Keep the Institute open.
  
• I think its disgusting that in an age where a large number of the population are obese that Fife Council has decided to close down the only decent sports centre for miles around.
  
• Twats theres all the land across the road to sell! The ice rink and the golf range have been shut down in that area if that goes there will be no life left in that area! No wonder so many business want to leave the area because the councill are knobends!
  
• What happened to the £3million Fife Council got for the land next to Institute?
  
• sad loss to glenrothes!
  
• This organisation has provided excellent service to all elements of the community over the years and must be protected at all costs Politicians must now look seriously at such leaks to the public by officials who have clearly no understanding of what the FIPR stands for .
  
• Have lived in Glenrothes all my life, and its a sad day when the council are talking about bulldozing one of the last places to keep the bairns off the street. There are more important things in life than a quick buck.
  
• It is essential that the Fife Institute is not sacrificed for short term financial gain as the staff and facility resource has served the people of Glenrothes and Fife for 35years.The Institute as the main centre for the promotion ot active and healthy lifestyles for all the community must be saved. Jim Penman, Retired Principal Fife Institute
  
• It gets used too much to close down
  
• I moved away from Glenrothes because there was very little in the local community for people to do, except fight, steal, take drugs and get drunk, and generate a single teenage parenmt community - not saying that everyone is like that - but the institute is paramount for kids development, and more should be done to encourage the use of it - and to build more places like this. Crystals Arena was a fantastic place, but because the council were too lazy to help a growing business, it was turned into a warehouse. Houses are not what is needed - Leasure centres, play parks for younger children, and places of interest are where the council should be focussing their efforts.
  
• They are complaining about obese children who do not get enough exercise, school do not provide PE lessons, and the keds say they have no where to go. closing the institute will only add to the problems we have in this area.
  
• SAVE OUR ONLY EXISTING FAMILY LEASURE CENTRE IN G/ROTHES!
  
• HOW GREEDY CAN THE COUNCIL GET? THEY ALREADY HAVE 25 MILLION IN RESERVE. SPEND THAT ON MAKING OUR SPORTS CENTRE THE BEST, NOT TEAR IT DOWN
  
• I use the gymnasium three or four times a week
  
• Shutting it for houses would be a travesty.
  
• Disgusting idea.
  
• The fife institute must stay open, it offers so much to the community. I think it is absolutely absurd that the council would even give this idea the time of day.
  
• My three children were lucky enough to use the facilities as they grew up and now as young adults. They all learned to swim there. my daughter joined the swimming club and was very successful resulting in her going to the british championships. I myself am in the cardiac class. The institute has been at the forefront in scotland to include disabled,adults with learning difficulties,difficult children, in a variety of activities. It would be an incredible loss to the community of glenrothes and beyond if it was to close. The quality of life for so many would be terribly affected.
  
• Why build more houses at the detriment of leisure facilities which are lacking in Glenrothes anyway.
  
• Public money is OUR money - give us what we want - keep and improve the Institute.
  
• plz keep open.b nothing 4 kids to do in local area..making crime higher 2.
  
• If anything, you should make the Institute more affordable for everyone to use it to promote better health and fitness.
  
• its ok if they build a new 1 but if not it is a disgrace!!!
  
• Keep the Fife Institute open. They took away the cinema, then the ice rink. Besides the bowling alley, this is the last community facility left.
  
• is this some sort of a joke?! the fife institute has not only been there for years providing all sorts of leisure activities for children and adults, it has pretty much catered and provided for all age groups over the years. I remember growing up in Glenrothes and my week days and weekends woudl usually be spent at the institute either participating in activities or meetin up with people. apart from the fife institute, Glenrothes has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to offer youngsters.. not a thing!! and they are thingking about closing it down so they can stick up a few houses to they can collect there rent money each month and thicken the lining in their pockets, you know wat, off you go and do it! i pretty much put money on the fact you'll have a run down community within the year. kids will be all over the place, getting up to absolutely no good coz they have no where to go, and what about the older generation, when they have nothing to do during the week apart from sit at home, because they cant even keep themselves healthy and exercised, and that mr fat cat sitting in his office expected little miss widow to be hopping on a bus to kirkcaldy on a wednesday nite so she can play squash and help try and keep her heart going a little longer. instead she'd going to be sitting at home on a wednesday nite, proabably scared out of her wits because there happens to be a big group of teenagers all shouting and swearing and drinking out side her front foor, because HEY HO, they have nowhere to go either! shocking way to be looking after a community... shocking.
  
• GLENROTHES NEEDS A SPORTS CENTRE PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE IT.
  
• GLENROTHES NEEDS A SPORTS CENTRE SPEND SOME MONEY ON IT TO UPGRADE IT.
  
• Hey this is not on kids nowadays are obese and all you can do is close this fine centre down cos you need to fill you budget of 800 houses. cant you find other land to build houses on! if you close whats the effect on the people of our children yet to come!
  
• Obviously Fife Council thinks there are not enough fat people in Scotland!
  
• The Fife Institute is an invaluable resource and a very good venue for many activities. I have used it for several various activities over the years, leave it alone please.
  
• yes, the idea of shutting the insty just sucks. i think the big bear chancelr brown's paw is in this. and the rest of his pups and honey lickers just follow. i hear he wants a big honey pot for the rovers in kirkcaldy. huggy bear says so. and by the way i think your web site is brill.
  
• this cant be allowed to happen it is morally wrong
  
• There are little enough places for Kids to go and have fun. Also, the government are already saying obesity is on the rise, what sense does it make to close the swimming pool, gym, fitrness clubs to name a few of the options the Fife Institute provide. They should be building more places like this - not pulling them down.
  
• bring back g. d. c.Pro kirkcaldy FIFE COUNCIL, not interested in glenrothes.
  
• It's incredible that our "representatives" should consider closing this critical (and unique) leisure facility. This move would be detrimental to thousands of people every week - and to the whole community.
  
• I grew up regularly using the Institute as it was within walking distance. I fondly remember learning to swim, falling on the dry ski slope, playing putting on the green, riding the miniature railway. I still use the swimming pool at least once a week. Fife council should be upgrading the facilities of an ever growing LOCAL community not closing them our moving them to 'out of town' locations.
  
• Why does Glenrothes lose out to Kirkcaldy everytime. If you are only going to swim for a short time who wants to travel on the bus for up to 45 minutes to get there
  
• Fife institute must bekept at all costs.Peoplewho want it closed should be named and shamed
  
• Is our nation not unhealthy enough without closing down the only public swimming pool and fitness centre in town? Wasn't it only last week that Sport Scotland were promising everyone in Scotland access to quality swimming pools? What a joke.
  
• Given that NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Executive are spending a lot of tax payers money trying to promote a healthier Scotland, it's ludicrous that Fife Council are even contemplating selling off the Fife Institute.
  
• The Institute is part of our past it should be part of our future and our childrens future too, not everything in this world should be about money although we know it always comes down to that. Count Me In!!!
  
• We are losing this town and becoming a suburb of Kirkcaldy - closing the Institute is another twist of the knife.
  
• Shutting down the Institute would be complete and utter madness and totally unacceptable!All I can say is please do the right thing Fife Council,SAVE THE FIFE INSTITUTE!
  
• There is little enough to do in Glenrothes already without shutting down our sporting facility!
  
• it would be a travesty to close Fife Institute. At the moment there is little or nothing for young people to do. Personally I am a member of a local gym but many people cant afford the luxury of that and if they have to travel to Kirkcaldy for facilities, fares and bus times are very restrictive. Keep the Fife Institute!
  
• The Fife Institute is one of the few remaining resources in Glenrothes that could actually be considered to be a genuine part of the community - to close it would be to sabbotage what little community Glenrothes has left.
  
• I cannot believe that our elected representatives are considering closing the Institute. I am now a pentioner but when I a younger I made use of theis facilty on virtually a daily basis. This is now the only facility left in this town, to close it would be a criminal act.
  
• I used the Fife Institute as a kid and removing it would be a great loss...what other options are there for kids and youths to exercise in Glenrothes? It is a disgrace.
  
• There is a lack of sporting facilities in an around Glenrothes as it is without closing the only one available to Glenrothes. In the days of the government claiming health is priority, surely the one place that promotes health cannot be brought to a close for money??
  
• I use the institute on a wkly basis .My husband 5 days per wk
  
• We are constantly being told we're overweight and need more exercise - yet you want to close the Institute down! How mad is that?
  
• Disgraceful.
  
• Glenrothes has suffered so much in the last few years soon we will have no leisure facilities left - first the ice rink, then the cinema. It is a disgrace for a town the size of ours that we have so little!
  
• I'm a regular user of the Institute and think it's a disgrace that it should be sold for housing
  
• I think its a crying shame they are considering closing the Institue, how else do they think kids are going to play football, swimming etc. The townis getting so much bigger with all the new houses etc and they keep banging on about keeping kids fit well HELLO the institute does this with Summer Camp etc .
  
• Where are we meant to play footie, go swimming and have fun? Leave the institute alone PLEASE
  
• Swimming is my pride and joy, and I learned at the fifey and am not letting them close it without a fight! I am swimming as much as possible because I am a 2012 olympic hopeful for swimming and if they close the institute then I will have nowhere to practise. I go to the splash disco regularly, the swimming club, and i go swimming a lot too.THEY ARE NOT CLOSING THE FIFE INSTITUTE WITHOUT A FIGHT!!!!!! TAKE NOTE COUNCIL
  
• Although I haven't lived in Glenrothes for some 20 years, the Institute was a vital part of my development in Glenrothes. I played 5-a-side football, learned to swim and trained with Glenrothes cricket club there in the winter. How can the council possibly think about closing it?
  
• So that would leave ONE swimming pool in Fife for sports training. Its rediculous. We need proper facilities not more damn houses.
  
• I am rather dubious regarding the motives of our elected representatives in considering the closure of the Fife Institute; why do we want to have a new facility in Kirkcaldy ? is this vested interest for votes or what.
  
• Private leisure facilities = high prices. We need to keep FIPRE.
  
• I have no issue with selling off the Institutse so long as the new sports centre is based in Glenrothes.The size of Glenrothes justifies its own complex!!
  
• I use both the pool @ the gym 5 days per wk @ it is convenient for an old codger like me @ my friends!
  
• Keep it open! I had my swimming lessons there!
  
• If the institute goes then so should the councillors responsible!
  
• This is what they do when your not looking - remember not to vote for them next time.
  
• It is the very last recreational facility in the town for people of all ages and health. Not only does it serve Glenrothes but also the outlying smaller towns and villages. For many people a move outwith the town will mean an end to their sporting activities. This is the only place that pre-teens and early teens have to go, giving them a degree of 'safe' independence! I think it is scandalous to consider closing this facility. Our government is promoting health & fitness in one breath and threatening to take away opportunities to maintain/achieve same in the next breath. So much for the Fit Fifer! Or perhaps local government will provide funding for all those individuals, clubs and teaching groups to travel comfortably and safely to a new Kirkcaldy based centre - and there goes a flying pig!
  
• This Institute has been a part of the community for the last 30 years. It has supported all walks of life from the community and it will be a great blow to those people who have relied on this amenity if it is closed.
  
• I know that I am not from the area but my family is and my 11 year nephew gets great fun from the institute. Would be a shame for the local people if it closes.
  
• I give my full support to this petition
  
• No way, you can't close the Fife Institute. I use it 5 times per week.
  
• why is Fife council so incompetant at running its finances it has to resort to selling offthe Insty?why no green paper analysis for lottery funding?
  
• absolutely horrified about this, something must be done to save this valuable facility
  
• Considering the appalling health record of Scotland as a nation, depriving Glenrothes of it's only sports facility would be an act of monumental stupidity, and a betrayal by Fife Council of the people the are supposed to serve. The proposal to relocate to Kirkcaldy in now way compensates for the loss of FIPRE - Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy must both have their own sports facilites.
  
• fair.. dinny close the fifey. where else would we go?
  
• having grown up in pitteuchar the fife institute was a large part of my childhood. it was the place where i learnt to swim, trampoline and spent mose of my summer holidays. The fact that it can even be thought about to get rid of this establishment so greatly used by the community is ridiculous.
  
• i am against the fife institute being knocked down as i train there 3 nights a week at the running track and if it gets knocked down i would have nowhere to train, the closest track would be pitreavie in dunfermline and i wouldnt like to travel there 3 nights a week as i am not old enough to drive and that means i would need to pay for the bus to get through there
  
• I want the insty!!!!!
  
• Closing the institute would be a disaster for the health and leisure of the local community. Many of us dont have the luxury of being able to fund a yearly membership at private gym or have the means to travel to Kirkcaldy. Its unbelievable considering the vast campaign's goverment is currently running to convince us to change our eating and exercise habits. We must do everything we can to keep this facility open!!
  
• I would like it to stay open, as there are no other places to play football. I play at the institute every monday. also think of the children in years to come! where they swim? were they play football? where will they keep fit? if it is knocked down then this is a step towards the UK becoming like USA! A FAT COUNTRY!keep it open! keep it open! dont knock it down!
  
• i dont think the fife institute should closed down as there is no other pools to go to in glenrothes, but i do advise that it should be reinovated so that more people would be willing to go!
  
• The is a public meeting being held at The Rothes Halls on Monday March the 27th at 7.30 pm. The more people that turn up to hassle the Council the better numbers will count for a lot. It's everyone's chance to make a real difference to the decision that will be made by Fife Council on the Friday of the same week. Please come and fight for what you want.See www.saveourinsti.org.uk if you want to help make a difference online. And make sure you sign this petition on here!

[Martin]

I've now signed the petition

[markinchman]

Petition Signed!
I'm going to link this from my website and send it round my work.

[Mark]

Thanks to The Courier, who just phoned up and said that somebody had forwarded them an e-mail about the petition. They're going to feature it in the paper, although I forgot to ask when! Probably tomorrow?
74 people in 3 days is a pretty impressive start.

[robthejob1]

I have just registered with site after courier called. I am leading fight against proposed closure through Community Council and I will ensure petition address is sent to all on working group. I am quite sure you are aware of my views through the press.

[Martin]

Just going to sign my Mum , Dad , Gran and Grandads names on the petition the more names the better ;D

[slim7]

Good bit of publicity Today in the Courier, also my letter was printed in the GG too, page 12, i'm still yet to hear the opinion of anyone who is actually for these plans, they are obviously too scared to identify themselves.