Wrexham Community Centres Under Threat

A number of community centres across Wrexham are at risk of closure following a recent community asset review.

In a recommendation due to be put forward to the Council’s Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday afternoon, it is proposed community centres at Lodge and New Broughton are closed down. It is also proposed that further consideration is given to assessing the potential closure of Marford community centre.

The recomendations are being put forward to enable budget saving through ‘rationalisation’ of the community centre estate and to make better use of limited resources by closing centres that are under user or no long fit for purpose use.

So far asset reviews have been completed for two geographical areas which include the communites of:

• Brymbo / Tanyfron
• Bryn Cefn / Pentre Broughton / Brynteg / Gwenfro / New Broughton
• Gresford / Marford
• Rossett

The report states that in respect of Lodge and New Broughton community centres, existing users can be accommodated at the Brynteg Memorial Centre due to sufficient capacity to accomodate all exisiting groups.

The closure of Marford community centre will require further consultation with the owners of alternative local meeting facilities (e.g. Gresford Memorial Hall and local Churches) to ensure that alternative accommodation is available for groups. However it is recommended the facility closes due to the condition of the building being ‘very poor’.

Currently the centre hosts a playgroup, karate classes, brownies, Weighwatchers and a luncheon class among others.

In the report it states:

“Whilst the facility is well used, it is mainly for non-statutory childcare which can be provided in the private sector. A similar facility exists at the Marford School.  Other uses could be accommodated at other local locations. The building requires significant investment to be brought up to modern standards.”

Marford playgroup have reacted to the news and have members of the community have been going door-to-door to inform people of the potential closure. Outside the community centre  there is also a banner saying ‘Save Our Community Centre’.

On Friday June 14 a charity band night will be held at the Red Lion in Rossett in aid of saving Marford Playgroup.

Last month Wrexham.com attended a meeting at Little Acton’s community centre where the possibility of community centres across Wrexham being closed down was mentioned and discussed by residents who turned up.

In the meeting it was confirmed that there were no current plans to close their community centre, but instead Little Acton were establishing new management for the centre and residents are organising themselves incase they come under closure plans.

A meeting will be held in Marford community centre on Tuesday June 11 at 7:15pm to discuss the matter further.

More information on the community centres and the meeting next week can be found on the report here on the council’s website.

You can join the discussion on the future of Wrexham community centres on our forums…