SOME users of a community centre earmarked for closure have been found new venues, but a resident mounting a bid to save it has vowed to carry on the fight.
The Chronicle reported last week that 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.
It shocked regular users, including a dance school which runs six days a week at the centre for almost 90 children.
The dance school is moving to Kendray Business Centre, and other users have been offered alternatives.
But Robert Stendall, 69, of Cumberland Drive, Ardsley, says it is unfair to leave the community and the whole Stairfoot ward without a community venue. He has applied for the centre to be registered as an ‘asset of community value’ in the hope of saving it.
“Some of the users have been offered alternatives, but there’s no alternative for the community as a whole, or for the casual users like myself. A group I’m involved with organises an event at Christmas for example. We’ve had no consultation or communication from the council whatsoever.
“When they were looking to build the centre, people went round this community rattling the tin for donations to meet the match funding requirement.
“Is there no obligation to the community which helped fund it in the first place? It seems not.”
Coun Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesman for education, said: “All occupants have been fully supported throughout the process. Letters, phones calls, emails and visits to alternative premises happened with immediate effect.
“Appropriate notice was issued to the current occupants in line with their existing licence agreements. The two licensees have been given the correct notice in accordance with their occupational agreements, which is four weeks’ notice and is due to expire on August 24.
“Some of the building users do not require any formal notice but have been similarly advised as those on formal agreements and council officers have been working with the groups to secure alternative premises in the locality for their activities.
“We have already secured new premises for the dance school, which gives Amy the exclusive use of two units and new licence agreements will be signed with reduced rent rates to help with the transition.
“The YMCA will remain on site at the school and are currently negotiating times and other details directly with Wellspring Trust. The toddler group has been offered two premises to view within the local area.”
