A sports centre at the heart of the community in Dalton looks set to be saved.
Kirklees Council had wanted to dispose of the DRAM Sports and Community Centre, a focal point for youth activities in one of the most deprived parts of Huddersfield.
The council was willing to gift the building to a properly-constituted community organisation as a ‘community asset transfer’ or would otherwise sell the building on the open market.
Over the last couple of years the council has been working with the trustees of Moldgreen ARLFC – the RL club based at the centre – on a plan to take over the premises.
A new Community Interest Company – Moldgreen ARLFC (DRAM Holdings) CIC – has been set up and is looking to secure a 125-year lease on the centre and surrounding land.
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet, which meets at Huddersfield Town Hall on Tuesday September 9, will be asked to agree the asset transfer.
The council will restrict use of the centre to ensure it remains for community use, though it will allow some commercial use to help the centre remain a viable operation.
The centre, built in 2004 at a cost of £1.6 million, is now valued at £290,000. The law allows councils to transfer assets to the community if they improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of its area.
The council proposes to lease the building for a nominal “peppercorn rent” with the CIC responsible for all repairs, maintenance and insurance, freeing the council of any ongoing costs.
If Cabinet approves the transfer then council officers will finalise the terms of the lease.
Meanwhile, the HUDAWI Centre in Great Northern Street, Huddersfield, is also set for an asset transfer to the local community.
The HUDAWI Centre – its name was shortened from the Huddersfield African and West Indian Community Centre – was originally run by the Huddersfield Caribbean Association.
Historically a much-loved building at the heart of Huddersfield’s African and Caribbean communities, the centre had reverted to council ownership.
The council deemed the centre surplus to requirements and the BBSA (Black Business Support Agency) CIC, backed by several other organisations, will take on a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rent.
The building is valued by the council at £322,000.
Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: “Community asset transfers are a fantastic opportunity to give communities more control over local assets enabling them to create community hubs, where the needs of the community are front and centre.”
Community asset transfers were introduced in Kirklees in 2013. To date, the council has completed 27 asset transfers, including community centres, village halls and sports facilities.
