Community centre saved from the axe
STRATFORD’S Ken Kennett community centre – which faced the prospect of imminent closure only a few weeks ago – looks set for a sunny future after all.
The centre was on the brink of running out of money, but several organisations have banded together in an ethos of public-spirited collaboration to save the Justins Avenue centre from the axe.
The future looks so rosy that a free family fun day was held at the centre on Saturday, officially opened by Cllr Juliet Short, the Mayor of Stratford.
Last week Stratford District Council told the Herald it was currently in negotiations with Clopton Community Forum and Springfield Mind to help facilitate future use of the centre.
A spokeswoman said: “The district council remains committed to the community in this area and will continue working with partners to get the best for the area.”
Stratford district councillor Jason Fojtik (Lab, Clopton), who is a trustee of the community forum, told the Herald he was seeking £20,000 each from Stratford District Council and Stratford Town Council in what is known as Section 106 money – the cash provided by developers to finance community and infrastructure projects.
He said he was hoping the two councils would underwrite the provision of the cash so that the centre could receive it now rather than in two years’ time.
Cllr Fojtik said the link-up with Springfield Mind was especially significant. “If funding is in place it should be a very exciting project that could benefit residents in the local community, particularly a community that has levels of deprivation,” he said. “It needs the support it deserves.”
Maria Fennell, chief executive of Springfield Mind, told the Herald: “It is very speculative at the moment. We have a number of clients who live in that area and there are a lot of challenging mental health issues in that particular area.
“I was approached by Stratford District Council and advised that the lease was being dropped by Clopton Community Forum because they could not afford to keep the centre going.
“I was asked if we would want to get involved – and we are very keen to get involved. But it’s quite unusual for an organisation such as ours with a mental health focus running a community centre. Hopefully lots of other organisations will be encouraged to use the building.”
She said the centre could be used for a variety of purposes, including therapy, but added: “It is so well-placed, but it is a sad-looking building and needs a fair bit of refurbishment.
“It is reasonable to expect the councils to support this. In Leamington and Warwick they’re so well-off with community centres, but the ones in Stratford need a lot of money spending on them.”
In a statement this week the district council said this Saturday’s event was to “help speak with local residents around the rejuvenation of the Ken Kennett Centre and to provide them with an opportunity to get involved and have their say about the new proposals to refurbish the centre to become a vibrant community hub”.
It said the event was supported by the both district and county councils and was timed to coincide with Community Centres Week. It would include sports activities, face painting, a bouncy castle and giant inflatable slide, as well as a tug of war competition. Refreshments on offer would include a barbecue run by the Yard of Ale Pub together with Polish delicacies and an ice cream van.
Cllr Robert Vaudry (Cons, Bishopton), the district council’s portfolio older for housing and infrastructure, said: “Community centres provide a focal point to bring communities together through a myriad of activities. I fully support this event which is a great opportunity for local residents to get together and contribute to the future of the Ken Kennett Centre.”