MEMBERS of the Knighton and District Community Centre Management Committee had a Christmas present to remember when they heard they had securing a £500k grant from the Welsh Government.
The cash will go part way towards funding major refurbishment and partial rebuilding to turn the centre into a ’community hub’, something of which the local people can be proud.
The award represents the first milestone on the journey towards raising the full cost of achieving the management committee’s vision, which is to ensure that a local valued asset is preserved for future generations and that, in a time of austerity, local people continue to have access to a range of services and support aimed at maintaining and perhaps even improving their quality of life.
Knighton and District Community Centre is one of three county facilities identified by Powys County Council to pilot the notion of a ’community hub’ and with this in mind the committee, made up of a small but hard-working group of local volunteers, has spent the past five years planning, consulting and developing a sustainable business plan for the centre. Along the way the Committee has had positive discussions with Powys County Council, Knighton Town Council, the local MP and AM, Powys Teaching Health Board, the police and the Welsh Army Cadet Force Association, as well as support from local organisations, businesses and community representatives.
A ’community hub’ is a way of focusing local resources at a single convenient point, thereby improving efficiency and reducing duplication in services, particularly important at a time when so many services on which a community depends are under threat. The hub concept can encourage and help community organisations to meet local needs.
Karen Plant, chair of Knighton and District Community Centre management committee, said: “We are so delighted to have been successful in our bid to the Welsh Government’s Communities Facilities Programme. It provides a clear endorsement of our hard work and vision developed over the past 5 years.
“This project for us is not just about the building but is about attracting much needed inward investment to help regenerate the Knighton area and will support projects aimed at reducing the impact of isolation and poverty such as supporting young and long term unemployed, older and disabled people and young families.
“This project is very ambitious and Knightonians should be under no illusion that it relies not only on the continuation of our voluntary support but also the full backing of the community – not to mention additional funding from the Big Lottery which we are currently in the process of applying for. I and the committee would welcome local people with skills, vision and enthusiasm to come forward and assist with the realisation of this exciting project.”