USERS of a community centre earmarked for closure have been given less than a month’s notice of its closure with a hasty campaign to save it now underway.
Ardsley and Stairfoot Community Centre, on Doncaster Road next to Oakhill Primary Academy, is to be converted to classrooms for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
But the news has shocked users including a dance school which runs six days a week at the centre for almost 90 children.
“It’s come completely out of the blue, it’s really upsetting,” said Amy Schofield, who runs the Starstruck School of Theatre Dance.
“I got an email telling me I’ve got to be out by August 17, which gave me about three weeks to try and sort something out.
“That was it, there was no emotion, or any help in finding somewhere else. I’ve been using it for more than four years, six days a week. Without me it would probably have had to close before now anyway, I’ve basically been funding it.”
Amy has this week managed to negotiate space at Kendray Business Centre, but she hasn’t yet got a firm date to move in, so doesn’t know how long the school will have to close for to allow the move.
A parent and toddler group, a youth club run by the YMCA, and community groups including the Friends of Stairfoot and Ardsley Events Group are among the groups which regularly use the centre.
Elaine Barnsley, who runs the Ardsley Mother and Toddler Group, said she didn’t know what she would do but is determined to retain the group - which has been going more than 40 years - somewhere in Ardsley.
“They have suggested somewhere in Hunningley Lane, but its just too far for the parents who come who haven’t got cars,” said Elaine, 69, of Cumberland Drive, Ardsley.
“I’m really so annoyed about it. I got an email basically saying my contract was terminated as of now.”
Robert Stendall and wife Denise are among those objecting to the plan, and are in the process of trying to register the building as an ‘asset of community value.
“It’s come as such a shock, and the short notice means we haven’t much time to sort it out,” said Robert, 69, of Cumberland Drive, Ardsley.
“People who use the centre regularly like the young dancers have had just a few weeks’ notice. They just don’t seem to be considering the community at large.
“I think it’s laudable what they’re trying to do - I have no problem with providing extra classrooms for children with special learning needs, but this is the last community asset in the Stairfoot Ward.
“Over the years, with all the cutbacks, everything else has closed. This is all we have, it’s very well used and it will be sorely missed.”
Local councillor Wayne Johnson said he believed it would be unfair to take away the centre without putting something else in its place, and was due to meet with the leader of the council to discuss it.
“While I understand the urgency of trying to cater for the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities, I also think we need to have some sort of community centre within the ward.
“I’m not aware of another ward that doesn’t have a single community asset to call on.”
Barnsley Council has been asked for a comment.
