THE future of a community centre has been secured after a 20-year lease was given to a local charitable organisation.
Cabinet members approved the long-term lease of Valley Community Centre in Cudworth to Valley Community Association (VCA), a registered charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).
The lease will provide security to enable VCA to continue to provide the activities and facilities currently available at the centre to the community.
The centre on Manor Road, built in the 1990s with a car park and children’s outdoor play area, has been maintained internally and externally to a good standard.
VCA already runs the centre, which offers room space for hire to anyone in the community. It is open seven days a week, is run on a day-to-day basis by volunteers and one part-time caretaker.
Coun Robert Frost, cabinet support member for place, said: “This is excellent news for the people of Cudworth as it means this valued local community centre is safeguarded for the long-term.
“VCA already do great work in keeping this centre at the heart of their community and we are seeking to give them the security to continue that in the coming years.”
This long-term security will also benefit the association in applying for any grant funding as external funding bodies often require long-term security of premises.
Coun Charlie Wraith, who opened the facility in his mayoral term in 1997, added: “This is great news as it secures its future - it’s nice to see it doing well as it’s a valuable community space.”
