MORE than 500 people have signed a petition demanding the reopening of a popular Milton sports complex.

Community members have joined forces in a bid to push Glasgow Life into allowing the area’s Glasgow Club to open its doors for the first time since lockdown measures began in March.

Residents have blasted the charity for “ignoring” the beloved facility, leaving residents “devastated” it may never reopen as further lockdown restrictions loom.

One resident, named Nicola, who is campaigning for the site to reopen told the Glasgow Times: “People are concerned it won’t reopen at all.

“There’s been loads of chat between various clubs that use the grounds and everyone’s saying there’s no signs of it opening up. There’s been a total lack of communication.

“It just seems to be smaller venues in the communities are being ignored or restricted.”

She added: “We’re planning to put up some banners and have a bit of a local campaign because, yes it provides a gym, but it provides so much more.

“It seems like everything in our area, for our children, is on shaky ground right now.”

The Liddesdale Road site, which is attached to St Monica’s Primary School, is home to a number of dance clubs, football clubs, a yoga club, a library and a cafe.

The change.org petition states: “Glasgow Life held back the reopening date for Glasgow Club Milton.

“This club is a busy club daily ... with this club still closed, it’s a huge loss to the community.

“This centre needs to reopen as soon as possible for the health and well-being of everyone who uses it.”

Nicola added: “It’s a wee safety net for a lot of people.

“There’s different clubs for the kids, gala days at the library and the cafe, and everyone who uses that cafe, would never let a kid there go without.”

As previously reported, Glasgow Life has reopened less than half of its 171 facilities, with next month’s planned opening of several sites expected to be halted by the tightening of social activities due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Outraged communities have called on the charity to include smaller locations, as opposed to the Riverside and Kelvingrove Museums, insisting the local libraries and sports complexes provide “vital lifelines” for the city’s most deprived areas.

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: “Glasgow Life continues to work with Glasgow City Council to review and prioritise when and where more venues and services can restart.

"The phased reopening of Glasgow Life venues has ensured a geographic spread across the city while allowing people to visit them again safely and in line with emerging public health and government guidance.

"Already seven libraries, two museums, pitches and gyms at Glasgow Club venues and several tennis, bowls and golf facilities are open to the public while more, including Glasgow Club Gyms at Springburn and Maryhill are due to reopen in the coming weeks.

"An extensive on-line membership offer to the Glasgow Club is also available.”

To sign the petition, visit change.org.