|
|
 |
| |
Crisis talks to save youth water centre
Sports club cannot be replaced, say campaigners
MANAGERS of a canal-side sports centre have held crisis talks with the council to find ways to stay afloat following cuts to their funding. The struggling Jubilee Waterside Centre in Camley Street, Somers Town, had £64,000 cut from its annual budget after it failed Camden youth services’ last round of applications.
The centre has provided outdoor activities, rare in central London, such as kayaking and rock climbing, since opening in 1977.
But ward councillor Roger Robinson warned that Somers Town would lose its only sports facility if funding was not reinstated.
Jubilee chief executive John Rowlinson admitted the charity-run organisation had fallen short in meeting increasing demands that it run along the lines of commercial company.
He said the budget cut had been an “enormous blow” to the centre, which has been in the red since a £3 million rebuild overran.
Mr Rowlinson, 50, who joined the centre almost 20 years ago as a kayaking instructor, said: “We are a small business with a large debt, which we are trying to tackle by improving the level of business.
“Funding has gone through a culture change and we are trying to meet new targets. We are looking forward to the next round of funding and hope that ours are temporary problems.
“The local people are the only ones who will suffer if we had to close.”
Mr Rowlinson said last Wednesday’s meeting had been “very productive” and that options were being considered including funding from other departments.
Cllr Robinson said: “If Camden loses the Jubilee Centre it will never get it back.
“It’s a beautiful building that would fall into the hands of drug users or private business.
“The council needs to understand if there are problems with young people, to take it away would be an absolute disgrace. Not to mention all the groups that use the buildings for meetings, including the council.”
Cllr Flic Rea, executive member for culture, said the Jubilee was a “valuable facility” and she “ hoped a solution could be found”.
“A great deal of public money has been spent on this centre for the refurbishment that should not go to waste. I do think it has not been used to its full potential.”
A council spokeswoman said: “Jubilee Waterside is a very valued facility and we want to see it stay open. However, we want to see improvements at the centre, such regular evening and weekend opening and improvements to financial efficiency in how it’s run, as the cost per visit to the centre is high.”
|
 |
|
|
|
