| We're alive and kicking |
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| Written by Andrea O'Neill | ||||||
 IT’S business as usual at the Playsport complex in East Kilbride, the management team stressed this week.Manager Colin McEwan spoke exclusively to the East Kilbride Mail to set the record straight about the future of the business. Speculation about the multi- million pound complex began after developers Kilmartin Property Group called in the administrators. But Colin says doom and gloom stories about the Playsport business are well wide of the mark. He said: “Reports have been very negative and detrimental to Playsport Golf, who have nothing to do with the property company. “No one is denying that Kilmartin has gone into administration but it has not affected Playsport in any way. Playsport’s doors are firmly open.” The ambitious £20million project was initially fronted by Playgolf Holdings before they went into administration in May of 2009. It then became Playgolf Kilmartin when the Kilmartin Group took over the development of the site. But the fact that Kilmartin are now going into administration will not affect Playsport, which is owned by a subsidiary company, East Kilbride Sport. Colin says his company, East Kilbride Management Services, was specifically set up to re-establish the Playsport development when Playgolf were unable to deliver their ambitious vision of a multi-functioning sports and retail hub. Colin added: “Playgolf did promise a lot in the beginning but in reality were unable to deliver it. “My company got involved to re-estblish this. We are completely independent from East Kilbride Sport or Kilmartin Group, so I manage Playsport, not Kilmartin. “Irrespective of who owns the complex, any tenant who comes in will trade as normal.” A fourth operator for the site. Graymack, was announced this week. The firm will bring their new leisure concept, Kidzone, to East Kilbride in May, creating 12 jobs and providing work for local contractors. Aimed at all ages, this will bring two standalone attractions under one roof – EKPark, a 20,000 sq ft indoor skatepark for skateboarding, BMX, roller blading and scooters, and a 16,000 sq ft adventure play area Happy Days. Graymack’s Keith Mackie said: “This development is unprecedented in the UK. We were interested in opening a skatepark but the strength of Playsport’s offering locally and to the greater Glasgow area encouraged us to take on the whole unit and create Happy Days as well.” The complex, which has scope for 15 operators, has so far created 35 jobs through current occupants Playsport Golf, American Golf and Yum2go. Colin also says his company is close to clinching a deal with the five-a-side football outfit Fives, who have been interested in the complex since its inception. Colin added: “I have no doubt that Kidzone will be phenomenal. I think this proves that the site is moving forward.”
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