Campaigners were astonished last night that Western Isles Council had rejected a £11,400 donation to help fund running costs of the islands’ main sports centre.
A condition of Sunday-opening breached its policy – and the cheque was declined.
Councillors voted last October against a year’s trial run to test opening the Lewis sports centre and swimming pool for three hours on Sundays, citing cost and shortage of staff to work on Sundays.
The Families into Sport for Health pressure group launched an appeal for the cost of a pilot run for the Stornoway facility and the National Secular Society stepped in with a donation to meet the target.
About 20 Fish supporters turned up at the council buildings to present the money but were turned away.
Acting chief executive Calum Iain Maciver politely declined the offer, telling campaigners that a democratic vote had been taken.
“Thank you very much for coming in,” he said. “Unfortunately, the council is not in a position to accept that (cheque). Unfortunately, you’ll have to take it away with you.”
An official council statement stressed that operational pressures and not cash was a key reason for the vote against Sunday opening.
Fish spokeswoman Lesley McKenzie said: “We have played fair and this is a very negative response.
“The council made their decision but they did not involve the community very much in that discussion.”