Glasgow Life is to get a £100million financial guarantee from the city council that will allow more sports and culture venues to re-open after lockdown.

Last week the Glasgow Times reported how less than half the organisation’s facilities were earmarked for re-opening because of a financial black hole in the budget.

The guarantee means cultural attractions like the People’s Palace in Glasgow Green and Palace of Art in Bellahouston Park can be added to the list of venues that will re-open.

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And all the city’s swimming pools can re-open, as well as five more libraries than was previously planned, with pools in Castlemilk, Drumchapel, Easterhouse and Whitehill added to the list.

Glasgow Times:

Libraries in Baillieston, Elder Park, Milton, Parkhead and Woodside will also be able to re-open.

The Crownpoint pitch and athletics track, the BMX centre at Knightswood and leisure centres at North Woodside and Pollok are also on the list.

It takes the number of venues that will reopen to more than 90, but dozens of others will still be unable to open and will remain closed.

Glasgow Life has been hit hard by the loss of income in fees and charges for facilities like gyms and sports facilities.

It lost almost £40m in 2020/21 as a result of the lockdown and relied on more than £75m funding from the council to say afloat.

Now the council is to agree a financial safety net that will allow Glasgow Life to open and retain more facilities.

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The council will offer an enhanced financial safety net to Glasgow Life which will guarantee its income will not fall below £100 million.

There is no time limit on the guarantee but as more venues open and more revenue is brought back in though fees and charges the amount of subsidy required from the council will fall.

Ricky Bell, City Treasurer, said: “The City Government made it clear right from the start that the council would stand behind Glasgow Life, but I understand why people have been fearful about the future of valued community assets – like libraries and sports facilities.

Glasgow Times:

“That’s exactly why we are determined not to be in a position where, month to month and year to year, there is any doubt about Glasgow Life’s income or its services as we deal with the complex legacies of this public health emergency.

“This £100 million guarantee will see more venues open, as lockdown eases, and give Glasgow Life a secure future.”

It is expected the pandemic will continue to have an adverse impact on Glasgow Life’s commercial revenue, such as Glasgow Club memberships and ticket sales, for up to three years.

David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “This guarantee of funding provides certainty for the charity while it works to recover from the global pandemic, reopen venues after lockdown and begin to rebuild its sources of income.

“At the same time Glasgow Life will continue to deliver programmes, experiences and events which people rely on and love on behalf of the people of Glasgow.”

The timing of when the venues will re-open depends on the easing of lockdown restrictions by the Scottish Government and what social distancing conditions remain in place.