THERE’S a chance to save one of Rosyth’s institutions and turn it into an asset for the whole community to enjoy. 

The members-only Rosyth Civil Service Club has now closed but the facility at Castle Road has potential for wider public use, with fresh ideas and new uses, and could yet provide a bright future for the town.

The site is owned by the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC), a national membership organisation that provides sports and leisure opportunities and benefits for civil servants, the Armed Forces and public sector bodies, and the club was run by the Fife and Rosyth Area Association.

A CSSC statement said: “It has been a really challenging time for all businesses in the hospitality sector over the last 12 months and the Rosyth CSSC Club is no exception.

“The decision was taken to permanently close the club as a CSSC club from January 26, 2021.

“The management of the site is now transferring back to the freeholder, which is CSSC Ltd.”

Wendy Eley, group operations director at CSSC, added: “CSSC Ltd will be undertaking work in the next few months to consider the future of the site and facilities post the pandemic.

“It remains CSSC Ltd’s priority to ensure that, if viable, the local community can access facilities that promote health, wellbeing and physical activity, as well as enabling the activities for CSSC members to be retained.

“We are incredibly grateful for all the support.”

The Rosyth club opened in the 1960s and an independent review to identify options for its future was undertaken in 2019.

With a dwindling membership and not enough money coming in, members were advised that the club was not financially viable and change would be required if the facility was to remain.

That prompted concerns as, although the new sports hub at the Fleet Grounds is taking shape, Rosyth has long suffered from a lack of sports and leisure facilities while other community venues and services have also shut down in recent years.

On the plus side, the site does have huge potential and CSSC are keen to hear ideas from Press readers.

On a prime site with a grand outlook over the town, the club boasts three large rooms, including a lounge bar, offices, toilets and changing rooms, while outside there are sports pitches and a bowling green.

A popular venue for weddings, birthday parties, funerals, music nights, quiz nights and fundraising events, it’s been suggested a coffee shop or restaurant offering lunch, dinner and afternoon teas could operate there.

Other possibilities could include use by yoga and fitness classes, baby and toddler groups, beauticians, community organisations, sports teams, youth clubs and bands. All enquiries relating to the facilities should be directed to Wendy.Eley@cssc.co.uk.