PAVILION
We now have a self contained pond side facility at Knightswood Park comprising a 32’ x 10’ port a cabin which is additional to our clubroom located within the Bowling Pavilion on Chaplett Road, Knightswood. It is located adjacent to the boating pond with access from Alderman Road, there is a door and window at each side with two windows at each end, which gives us a door and window overlooking the pond, in fact members could sail their models whilst inside.
It has been provided to give our members somewhere to get out of the cold and rain or if we are very lucky the sunshine, also to have some light refreshments i.e. tea coffee and a biscuit etc. There will be a storage area however this will be for tables, chairs and other equipment we might need at the pond side, NO models will be stored on site
The project was managed by two of our members, namely Malcolm Craik and David Hume, other club members were co-opted as required. Malcolm identified the port a cabin supplier, Castle Skip and Portakabins, Motherwell, and David took on responsibility for arranging window shutters, flags and banners, etc. The project was grant funded by the Garscadden/Scotstounhill Area Committee, Chairman Councillor Paul Rooney, however the grant would have been in vain had not Robert Booth, Director Land Services, Glasgow City Council been instrumental in giving us permission to site the port a cabin in the Park.
Having lost the use of the caravan at the pond side some three years ago we were reduced to only sailing in the better weather from approximately April to October, which was far from satisfactory, however we were told repeatedly we would not get a fixed structure at the pond, but last year after a chance meeting at the pond side with Councillor Rooney we made representations to the Council through Councillor Rooney, who arranged meetings with the Parks dept, Police, at which comments were made regarding the vandalism, graffiti and nuisance, etc that would result if we were allowed such a structure. We responded to these comments with actions we would take to overcome them after which Councillor Rooney requested we survey local residents for their opinion, Malcolm did this and received a 100% positive response i.e. “why have you not had one before now”. The results were passed to Councillor Rooney and we were then advised to submit our grant application, which was submitted in late August 2010 and approved by the committee in October.
Malcolm and David approached the onsite Parks manager Mr McMenamin who stated his staff would build the base, and agreed a suitable location with them, unfortunately the severe weather through December into February delayed the base work until late March this year, so we arranged to install it in April.
It is undoubtedly the case we would not have had the port a cabin without the support and active involvement of the above individuals, and the members of Knightswood Model Boat Club are very grateful for their support.
The port a cabin was placed on site on 4th April, so we now have a facility at the pond side in addition to our clubroom located within the Bowling Pavilion. It was scheduled to arrive at the park around 11:30 but due to circumstances out with everyone’s control, it did not arrive until 1:30pm, then took about 2 hours to get it on site. The driver wanted to place the wagon alongside the pre-prepared base however the ground was too soft so it was offloaded from the pathway, unfortunately the wagon caused some unexpected tree pruning and some ruts on the grass, the parks supervisor arrived, he was not too worried about the tree but was concerned about the grass, which we stated we would repair as best we could. The weather was atrocious so we decided to call it a day and meet the following day to start getting things in order. On the 5th we levelled off the ruts and used turfs taken from the grass so we could fit a 3’ by 2’ slab at the door to repair the ruts, fortunately the weather was drier so we started to clean the port a cabin
The port a cabin is outer and inner metal skinned, open plan layout and very clean and dry despite the recent severe weather, Castle Portakabins very kindly re-painted it dark green in keeping with the surroundings, in common with those owned by the Council which is why, we think, some residents have been asking if we have a toilet.
It came supplied with a number of upholstered and plastic chairs, plus 8 tables and a two drawer desk, we have re-used much of the above to provide seating accommodation to be used to escape the outside elements and will enable us to sail all year round rather than April to October as in previous years. We have retained all the upholstered chairs and some of the plastic ones with the remainder disposed of as surplus to requirements.
The layout will be designed with the larger area will be used for the refreshments and seating area, the desk will be used by committee members involved in managing the club’s affairs. The remaining space will be partitioned off and used as a storage area for equipment we require at the pond side. The club is lucky to have the services of Tommy Baillie who as our Facilities Co-ordinator has carried out the layout changes detailed above
Again our thanks to Councillor Rooney, the Council employees and club members who participated in the project to get make the Pavilion a reality.
D Morrison - Chairman
We are still making some alterations to the inside but are open for business ( TEA and biscuits) and being able to have a sit out of the weather if required and of course to sit and chat, all are welcome to come and take advantage of our new pond side facility.
It has arrived , thanks to the man in the hat and others, thanks from all in the club.
