KNIGHTON COMMUNITY Centre has not had support from the community over the last year which it needs to be able to survive.
At the recent annual meeting the chairman of the centre, Karen Plant, said that the centre is going to need support to tackle the problems that face it over the coming year.
“Despite the committee’s many achievements over the year, my feeling is that in many ways little has changed,” said Karen.
“We still have been unable to garner much needed support and participation from the community or overcome what the committee perceives as local indifference regarding the long term survival of the centre.
“The challenges facing the new committee in its attempts to keep the community centre up and running are considerable.”
The centre has been in a dire financial state for sometime, and Karen said that outgoings are much higher than the incomings.
She said: “I need to emphasise the cost entailed in simply keeping this building open - a staggering £2,500 per month.
“Again it needs to be said that this is a charitable organisation and virtually all expenses have to met from the events and activities held at the centre.
“We are fortunate to receive some funding from town and county council and it is very much appreciated but overall it is only a fraction of the money needed to keep the place afloat.”
The centres financial problems are ongoing, despite over the last year, the committee being successful in two funding applications.
The first application was to the Big Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programme to fund some elements of the ‘Big Ren’ project which was launched a year ago.
The grant awarded was for £4,978 which was for a number of improvement refurbishment items.
In addition they applied for a grant for the ‘Can Do Communities’ programme hosted by PAVO.
They were awarded £4,500 and together some of the committees hard earned own funds and voluntary time they managed to do a whole range of work on the centre.
Karen is urging people to get involved in the centre to show that it is an important facility in Knighton.
She added: “I hope you will all agree that our Community Centre is a great asset to the town and that you will grab the opportunity to become involved in supporting the centre by either standing for the committee or signing up as a Friend of the community centre."