"Wonderful" response to councillor's call to save Kiveton community centre

Wales parish councillor Paul Martin said RMBC sent a letter appearing to give them six weeks to put forward a plan to save Kiveton Park Youth and Community Centre.

“I put out an appeal on Facebook, asking people to sign an e-petition to keep the centre open,” he said. 

“My initial hope was that we could at least get a stay of execution on the building because we thought we only had a few weeks to put forward a viable plan to keep it open. 

“I was astounded by the response I received, with over 100 shares, 17,500 views and dozens of offers of help. 

“So I called a public meeting and we agreed to form a working group to come up with a strategy to save the Centre.”

During the meeting last month, it emerged that six months could be given for a plan to be produced - as long as the parish council formally expressed an interest in the building.

Cllr Martin said: “This came as a wonderful surprise, though of course we all know the hard work starts now.”

Former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett visited to show support for her party colleague.

She said: “Thankfully, they have now established breathing space in which to act, and Paul is working together with some wonderfully gifted members of the community who are also committed to finding a way to save the centre, we can all be hopeful that they will succeed.

“It’s really great to see how when a community asset like this centre is under threat of closure, the community gathers together to find a way to save it.”