Alness-based Fyrish Gymnastics Club ‘heartbroken’ over bid to buy premises
A ‘HEARTBROKEN’ Easter Ross gymnastics club says it has been knocked back in its bid to secure the premises it rents - despite securing a £100,000 boost towards the cost.
As previously reported in the Ross-shire Journal, Fyrish Gymnastics Club launched a bold bid to purchase the Alness premises it leases after the former call centre building was put on the open market by owner BT.
The club - which has been fundraising with the support of its local community - had put in a bid to buy the building, pegged at a sum it says had previously been indicated by the telecoms giant.
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But this afternoon it shared news of the latest devastating development.
The club, which regularly welcomes up to 800 users a week, posted: “As you are all aware we have been working really hard to secure our building.
“This month we found out that we had been accepted for an application for £100,000 from Sportscotland to help us buy the building. Which is absolutely amazing!
“This along with all the amazing fundraising efforts and generosity of businesses we were able to put in an offer for the original figure BT had offered us the building for.
“We hoped with all our support they would see how much Fyrish Gymanstics means to so many.
“Unfortunately we have had the news that they have rejected our offer and they have accepted another buyer.
“We are completely heartbroken!
“We are so grateful for all the effort and support that’s came from our parents, staff and local community.
“We would like to focus on the fact we are still in a rental agreement until 2028 but in the meantime we are exploring various different options.
“We thank you so much for all the support you have given us so far in our fundraising. We will continue to look at all the options open to us to secure the future of Fyrish Gymnastics.”
Last month, BT told us that negotiations over the sale were ongoing at that time. It did indicate that regardless of who buys the buildings, the Fyrish Gymnastics Club has a protected lease on Culcraggie House until 2028.
BT has been contacted for comment.