BARRHEAD – The Barrhead Air Cadets received a letter from Barrhead Composite High School on April 28, giving them 60 days’ notice to move out, as they can no longer use the school’s facilities.
“Our biggest issue is we have a lot in a storage area. We've been at the school for a very long time,” said Brian Woodrow, Barrhead Cadets Board president.
“We have supplies like uniforms, everything for the cadets to do their marksmanship biathlon and a flight simulator.”
Woodrow said the Cadets were aware the move was coming, with the school’s modernization plan already in motion.
Slade Sekulich, principal of Barrhead Composite High School, said the Cadets and other groups using the school were informed a year ago.
“We don't want to be feeling like we're kicking people out. It is just that we were not going to have that space,” said Sekulich.
Construction was originally set to begin in March, but playground equipment and the small hill between the schools were not removed until May 2.
According to Sekulich, groups were advised to vacate the school to ensure safety during the modernization project.
There are safety concerns with sectioned-off areas, construction crews on site, and reduced access points, which will make the high school less accessible.
Despite knowing the change was coming, it was still a shock to receive the formal notice, Woodrow said, and the Cadets now have just 60 days to find a new location and move all their equipment.
The Barrhead Air Cadets have been using the high school’s facilities since the program began in Barrhead, as far as Woodrow knows.
They currently use a lower floor of the gym for storage, an office in the same area, a classroom, and the gym itself.
It was suggested the Cadets reach out to the elementary school about using their space.
Woodrow feels it’s not just about gym access — storage is just as important, especially since some of the equipment must be kept in a temperature-controlled environment.
The Cadets have been paying a nominal fee for use of the school facilities, according to Woodrow.
He has contacted Barrhead Elementary School about available space, but other groups are also looking, leaving many scrambling.
Woodrow has also spoken with the Legion and a few other venues, but space is tight.
Woodrow said jokingly that if someone had an empty building they would be willing to offer up, the Cadets would be most appreciative.
Barrhead Elementary School has a meeting scheduled to determine who will have access to space, although Woodrow has not yet been informed when that meeting will happen.
The letter also stated that the Cadets would not have access to the high school for at least the next year. After that time, the school will evaluate whether any space can again be made available for community groups.
This complicates the search for new facilities, as the Cadets may need to find a permanent new home.
Woodrow has also contacted Bethel Church and spoken with the Bablitz Hall schedulers.
Other locations will likely come with higher rental fees, and the Cadets are operating on a limited budget.
The Cadets must vacate the school by June 30.
