A NEW community group is hoping it will be given first option to buy a Kendal property for the benefit of people in the town and beyond.

Members of the Castle Street Centre Association are eagerly awaiting a decision of Cumbria County Council's cabinet next Tuesday over the future of the building.

The newly formed association is already planning a series of fund-raising activities to try to buy the county council-owned building for the community, if the decision goes its way.

Association secretary David Boxford said members were optimistic: "I think the councillors have realised the value of these activities, and also realised the enthusiasm of the groups, and local residents and people associated with the centre. They have a vision for that building becoming a much more widely available community centre in that part of town and also to serve the wider district as a training centre."

Mr Boxford said the association hoped the centre would continue to be used by the karate club, Kendalian Marching Band, Westmorland Youth Orchestra and others and that even more groups and people in the community would be able to move in with their activities.

The centre was also already used as a training base by the Prince's Trust and other organisations, and this role could be expanded, he hoped.

Cabinet members are to look at three options for the building next week: leasing to the association; sale on the open market; or sale to the association.

In the officers' report to members they say: "Members are likely to want to seriously consider, in recognition of the value to the community of the activities which occur in the premises, giving the Castle Street Centre Association the first option to purchase the property."

If members agreed, the county council would monitor the association's progress towards being able to complete the purchase by March 31, 2004, and allow the group to have sole use of the building on a rent-free but cost covering basis, from the date of the cabinet meeting until completion of the sale.

The purchase price is not yet known but, if county councillors agree to sell the centre to the Castle Street Centre Association, a fund-raising programme would swing into action.

February 13, 2003 15:30