The Scunthorpe community centre faces uncertainty due to rising energy costs and debates over its location, leaving users concerned about its future.
Scunthorpe: A community centre that many folks call a “lifeline” is in a bit of a pickle. Rising energy costs and differing opinions on its location have left its future hanging in the balance.
This centre, located near the bus station on Lindum Street, sees around 800 to 900 visitors each week. But last winter, their gas and electric bills skyrocketed to over £10,000 a month! They’re hoping for a more efficient energy system and even dream of rebuilding with some social housing.
Local Labour councillors, who also serve as trustees, are feeling pretty frustrated. They think the council isn’t acting quickly enough and doubt that moving the centre will actually help. Right now, the centre has everything under one roof: meeting rooms, a café, a hall, and even a sports hall.
The Conservative council leader believes relocating could help revitalize the High Street, but many users disagree. They worry that moving would break up the community and lose the centre’s unique vibe.
One of the biggest challenges is the centre’s old boiler, which is as ancient as the building itself. It’s a hot blower system that heats everything, and if you want to warm up just one room, you have to crank up the whole system. Last year, they spent a whopping £100,000 on gas and electric!
Thanks to a £70,000 grant and community fundraising, they managed to keep the doors open. But even now, they’re still paying around £3,000 a month. If winter hits hard, they could be in trouble again.
They’ve been chatting with the council about energy costs and the centre’s future since 2020. In the short term, they’re looking for ways to cut costs, like installing solar panels or an air source heat pump. But the council has said their roof isn’t suitable for solar, which is a bummer.
Long-term, the councillors want to rebuild the centre and include social housing. They see it as a great chance to create something modern that could serve the community for years to come. But the council has suggested moving to a smaller space, which doesn’t sit well with the current users.
Trustees are worried that a new location wouldn’t have the same community feel. They’re passionate about keeping the centre where it is, as it’s one of the busiest in North Lincolnshire.
The council leader claims they’ve been working with the centre for months and even found an alternative venue. He believes this could help meet the needs of more residents. However, the trustees have turned down the offer, feeling it wouldn’t serve the community well.
Despite the challenges, the council is committed to improving community centres across North Lincolnshire. They’re keen to regenerate the High Street and think relocating the centre could help with that. But for now, the future of this beloved community hub remains uncertain.
