A GROUP of volunteers is banding together to try and keep a 27-year-old community centre open.
Due to council cuts, Langdon Square Community Centre in Coulby Newham is facing closure.
The centre currently receives an annual £30,000 subsidy from Middlesbrough Council, for maintenance, electric and water bills along with contributions to caretakers salaries.
But as the council must cut nearly £14m from its budget for the 2012-13 financial year, and with more big cuts in the next two years, Langdon Square’s subsidy will be withdrawn over three years.
This means that from 2015 the centre will receive no subsidy from the council.
Now an action committee made up of people who use the centre, is drawing up proposals on how to keep the much-loved centre open.
The action committee will report their findings to a management committee, which will in turn submit a three-year business model to the council in March.
It’s expected the council will announce whether the committee’s plan has proved successful in March.
Sarah Ross, manager of the centre who works for Middlesbrough Council, said: “We’re turning something which could have been a disaster into something positive.
Ideas on the table include charging more for room hire, holding children’s parties, and looking for sponsors from the community.
The committee is also looking into applying for charitable status for the centre.
Sarah said Langdon Square, which offers classes from flowering arranging to karate, plays an important role in the community.
For more information about the centre log on to www.middlesbrough.gov.uk or call 01642 599723.