NEYLAND Town Council’s involvement in a new £2million community hub for the town remains a sore point with some councillors.

An update on plans to transform Neyland Athletic Club on Monday night (September 5) prompted strong debate from councillors, some of whom still have reservations over its viability.

Cllr William McGarvie said Neyland did need “something good” but said this project would not cater for a lot of local needs.

He said it was too big for weddings, funerals and parties and was not sustainable.

“Given that every centre in the county is losing money, I’m very concerned that it will be fantastic, then six months later it will be boarded up like the school.”

Cllr Paul Smith said there he understood reservations, but said there was “no plan B”.

“You could almost say if you don’t like this one, you get nothing,” he said.

County Councillor Paul Miller, who is leading the project, said he welcomed the airing of views, but said the development would start almost debt-free, and be cheaper to run than the current club building.

Cllr Dan Blyth said he did not understand why the council was still debating, when it had already agreed to move forward, and invested money in the project.

Cllr Mike Harry said: “When you see what a big opportunity this is for Neyland, I hope we’re all 100 per cent behind it now, because if we’re not I can’t imagine why.

“This is one of the best things that could happen to Neyland, let’s get on board and do it.

“This is something we can and should be proud of, and if anyone’s got any negativity let’s get it out in the open and knock it on the head because it’s a bit late in the day to be niggling about it.”

The debate was prompted by questions from Cllr Brian Rothero over whether Cllr Harry’s place on the CIC management board was at odds with his position on the council.

Cllr Harry said his interest was not prejudicial, as he was elected onto the board to represent the council’s interests.

Cllr Miller clarified the council would not always have a guaranteed place on the executive board, but its views would remain represented through the committee.