Residents and organisations are invited have their say on the future on a York community centre.
The 68 Centre was originally built as a youth centre, but in recent years has become the home to Choose 2 Youth and a handful of community user groups.
Now Choose 2 Youth is moving to a refurbished centre on Moor Lane, while other users have been relocated to other local venues after the 68 Centre was closed due to the pandemic.
So the future of the 68 Centre is up for grabs.
City of York Council has committed to maintaining community use on the site. In the last year it has engaged with users, residents and groups with the outcomes so far being:
- No interest from a single organisation to consider a community asset transfer (Like Tang Hall Community Centre)
- No interest from local residents or existing user groups to take on the management of centre (Like Bell Farm Social Hall)
- Many suggestions for potential community activities.
Labour ward councillors have welcomed the consultation, but urged the council to invest in the building, which they say is unsafe.
Leaflets and workshops
Consultation options will be presented at a council decision session on Friday 28 August, setting out the temporary use of the site and future options for the 68 Centre.
The proposed consultation will involve delivered information leaflet/surveys, an online survey, resident drop-in sessions and workshops aimed to develop ideas and feedback on options.
Executive member for culture, leisure and communities Cllr Darryl Smalley said: “We have long-standing commitment to maintaining the 68 Centre as a community space, and as such the council is set to kickstart extensive further public consultation to shape and decide the future of this site.”
Heworth ward Labour councillor Anna Perrett said: “We welcome the community having a further say on the future of the building following ward councillors holding a public consultation session at the 68 Centre last year.
“But the Lib Dem-led council must commit to investing in the centre as it has with Moor Lane Youth Centre, in a Lib Dem ward, as the 68 Centre building is currently unsafe and not a realistic prospect for any community groups to occupy long term.”