Future of Clementhorpe Community Centre to be discussed

Clementhorpe Community Centre in Lower Ebor Road has been operating as a resource for residents since 1985, said acting co-chair Allison Drew.

She said there are fears the venue, a former red-brick school where she’s been involved for the last 10 years, could face closure and has issued a callout to the local community to help keep it open.

Over the past 12 months the venue hosted theatre groups, yoga, dance and martial arts classes, French lessons, parties and support group sessions.

It also played host to public consultations during the planning process which led to the installation of flood gates at the riverside end of Clementhorpe in 2022.

Ward councillors and housing and communities bosses at City of York Council said discussions about a community asset transfer are being explored and whilst they are ongoing the community centre is not for sale.

A public meeting on Wednesday, April 2 at 7.30pm will be held there to discuss a way forward.

Allison Drew said: “The centre needs new members if it is to stay open.

“I would guess that it’s currently running at 25 per cent capacity.

“It provides a venue where residents can raise community issues.

“We have a very limited budget, and there’s costs like the insurance for the building.

“We want to give it our best shot – we want to make the community as cohesive as it can be.

“Our charges for use are very modest but we do need more.”

Pauline Stuchfield, director of housing and communities at City of York Council, said: “The council has worked with the Clementhorpe Community Committee for many years regarding the potential of transferring this building to the community.

“We will be looking to meet with the new chair of the group in the coming weeks ahead of next month’s meeting.

“We have seen through our work with residents in Tang Hall the benefits a Community Asset Transfer can bring.”

The running of the Tang Hall Community Centre in Fifth Avenue was taken over by a charity in 2014 who drew up a five-year business plan, and in 2017 a 30-year-lease was agreed on the community facility at a peppercorn rent.

Ward councillor Jonny Crawshaw said the community asset transfer being explored required evidence of demand for both using the building and people willing to manage and run it.

He said: “Micklegate Ward councillors have been supporting Clementhorpe Community Association for several years as we try to find a long-term agreement on future maintenance and management of the Community Centre.

“The public meeting we’ve arranged is to establish levels of interest in the community and a route forward, as with insufficient use and income the centre will simply fall into decay.

“We would prefer for the space to remain in community use but now is really a use it or lose it moment.

“Whatever is ultimately decided, we’d like to thank current and former members of the Committee for all they have done in supporting Clementhorpe Community Centre.”