The former Youth and Community Centre on The Green could soon be put back into use as a ‘community hub’ for our village if a group of Ruddington residents gets its way.
In 2014 the Nottinghamshire County Council owned premises were threatened with closure when government spending cuts meant the council could no longer afford to run them. Subsequently, however, they were leased out to fitness firm Project Body UK on the basis that youth provision would be reintroduced there on three days per week. This began to happen last summer and several community organisations and groups were again starting to use the facilities on a weekly basis. But then Project Body UK closed down after running into financial difficulties last December and the building has lain dark and disused ever since. It was also targeted by vandals in June, emphasising the need to do something with the empty property sooner rather than later.
Now a group of local residents has come together to propose taking over the building as ‘The Green Space’ should the County Council decide to put it back out to tender. This is a community led initiative and the group is welcoming other people’s ideas and involvement. There’ll be a dedicated ‘Green Space’ stall at the ‘Ruddington Summer Fayre’ on Saturday the 19th of August where you can go along in person to say hello, find out more, and give your thoughts and ideas about how the space could be used. Additionally, visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a cake donated by Jaspers Café. The group has also launched an online survey >>HERE<< which they’re encouraging everyone in the village to complete.
Ian Wilson, one of the leads on the project, said: “We would like to make a space in the village where people can come together. We will provide the space and support – we ask you to provide your ideas and passion. We would like to thank local businesses Adlard Print, Jaspers Café and Mr Tee for their support at this event – which gives us confidence that ‘The Green Space’ will be a true community hub. From local information, a crèche, pop-up shops, event hire space, through to art exhibitions, alpacas and co-working space – the potential for this fantastically situated space is endless!”
Joanna Jagiello, who is also a member of the group making the proposal, adds: “As well as providing a real and effective community hub, we want to provide Ruddington with a place to be proud of, so our proposal will not only include excellent community driven services but will also include plans to improve the appearance of the building itself – our initial thoughts are to make it an environmentally friendly building, that is modern but sympathetic to our beautiful village.”
If you would like to find out more, stay up-to-date to with progress and join their volunteer list you can join ‘The Green Space’ mailing list >>HERE<<.
The group can be emailed directly via ruddingtongreenspace@gmail.com.
You can also follow them on Facebook @TheGreenSpaceRuddington and Twitter @GreenSpaceRudd.
{Thanks to Yvonne Lishman for the latest photos.}
