Thirsk, Malton & Filey MP, Kevin Hollinrake, says he will fight tooth and nail to ensure the Hungate Centre in Pickering is retained for use by local organisations and groups.
The centre was originally built and paid for by local people before being handed over to the WRVS, later to become RVS (Royal Voluntary Service) to manage and look after. In March 2020 RVS announced that it was to close and be sold off, despite opposition from local people.
Mr Hollinrake said
“The centre has been an important community asset, originally provided by local residents for their own use, and has been used by a range of local groups including for yoga, pilates, bridge and art clubs as well as RVS lunches and there is no question that it should remain available to them. The RVS were custodians of the site. If it has no further use for it, It should not be sold, it should be given back to the community where it belongs. Once the pandemic is over the Hungate Centre will have an even more important role to play as people are able to get out and meet again in groups and take up all the activities that they have had to set aside during the crisis. I will do everything I can to ensure that it remains the important community hub that it has always been”.
Mr Hollinrake is meeting with RVS and other stakeholders virtually this week to make his position clear.
Meanwhile, an extraordinary full council meeting of Ryedale District Council is meeting today to consider the future of the Hungate Centre in Pickering. Councillors are being asked to support the purchase outright, or potentially in a partnership, based on preserving the Centre for use by the community.
More than 1400 signatures have been collected in an online petition by local residents and people living further afield in the support of the centre.
RELATED STORIES : Pickering Community Groups Fight Sale of Community Centre
Scarborough Park And Ride Sites Considered For Motorhome Parking
Scarborough Footballers Unite to Kick Off Fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease
Scarborough Athletic Take Chorley Challenge
Relegation-Threatened Whitby Town Aim For Warrington Double
Yorkshire Coast Rugby Action
Brid Town Face First Silsden Trip
Pickering Town End Home Campaign
Senior Councillors Back Yorkshire Wolds Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Bid
Yorkshire Water Announces £1.8m Upgrade For Staithes Wastewater Network
Refusal For Collapsed Car Park Company's Scarborough Plan
Whitby Town Bolsters Squad With Triple Sunderland Loan Signing
'Last Ditch' Attempt To Stop Council's Scarborough Office Purchase Fails
Comments
Add a comment