COUNCIL TOPS UP COMMUNITY CENTRE RE-BUILD FUND (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

COUNCIL TOPS UP COMMUNITY CENTRE RE-BUILD FUND

September 3, 2008 12:01 AM

Kirklees has awarded £33,000 to St Philip's Community Centre in Birchencliffe to help them finish rebuilding work. The centre was destroyed by arsonists in March 2007.

Kirklees has awarded £33,000 to St Philip's Community Centre in Birchencliffe to help them finish rebuilding work. The centre was destroyed by arsonists in March 2007. It is now on schedule to reopen this September.

The total cost of the rebuild is £675,461. The building's insurance covered the majority of the rebuilding work which is well underway. The centre managed to raise a further £63,343 from other sources, donations and fund raising.

This final grant of £33k from Kirklees Safer, Stronger Communities Capital Plan will ensure that all of the work will be done by the time the centre is ready for reopening in September. The additional funds were approved by Cabinet at its meeting on Wed 3 Sept 08.

Cllr Christine Stanfield, Lib Dem Members for Lindley Ward says:

"We're delighted for the Community Centre and its management committee."

"The loss of this building has been a massive a blow to Birchencliffe and for all the groups who have had to find alternative accommodation - we hope this splendid new building will create the space for even more community activities. I am only sorry it has taken so long to achieve".

Cllr Tony Woodhead, Lib Dem Member in Lindley Ward says:

"The centre's management committee really deserve a massive pat of the back for the job they've done. They faced up to a daunting challenge and have put up with all sorts of difficulties and delays. The work is well underway and it looks like the centre will be first rate when it's all done".