Havant Borough Council intervene to save community centre

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Springwood Community Centre

Havant Borough Council is set to intervene to prevent a community centre from closing its doors for good after receiving formal notice that Springwood Community Partnership will be dissolved on Friday 29 September.

The partnership will no longer be running the community centre in Springwood Avenue, Waterlooville following its Extraordinary General Meeting.

A new tenant organisation is needed to run the building for the community, as well as provide space for Bouncy Bears Preschool.

So far none of the local organisations approached have been able to take on the whole operation, although Havant Borough Council has commenced a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) process to help secure one.  

This will mean the centre will temporarily close between Saturday 30 September and Sunday 8 October whilst an interim solution is established.

Councillor Gwen Robinson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet lead for Communities and Housing, said: “We are committed to keeping the Springwood Centre open for the community and hope to find an interim solution that will allow the centre to stay open.

“In a bid to minimise any disruption our officers will be meeting with the Preschool early next week to ensure they have access to the building so that all planned nursery sessions can continue. 

“We remain optimistic that we will secure a new community focused organisation to take on the lease of the building to minimise any disruption to the groups and the community.”

Any queries in relation to the opening times of the community centre and bookings already made should be raised with Havant Borough Council's Senior Community Officer, Carole Samuda on 07887 991 814 or carole.samuda@havant.gov.uk