MORE than 50 residents turned up at a meeting in a bid to save a community centre.

Gardden Road Community Centre in Rhos could close by April 1 if no other leaseholder is found to take it over.

The community centre, which began more than 15 years ago, has been funded by the council who are no longer able to continue with the current arrangement.

Now discussions are ongoing with the Dee Valley Community Partnership in Cefn Mawr about whether they can become the leaseholders.

Two community groups – the Gardden Community Centre committee and the Pant Tenants’ and Residents’ Association would then be involved in the day to day running and management of the centre.

Stella Matthews, of the Gardden Community Centre committee, was the councillor back when the centre opened. She said: “It was a very positive meeting with about 50 people from the community.

“We have a very active tenants and residents group and we put on events for senior citizens and it wouldn’t be viable without a building in which to run things.

“It’s a very important building in the Pant ward which has substantial deprivation.”

Hilary Maddocks, of the Pant Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said: “We are a deprived village and we need this community spirit.

“Once that place closes that spirit will be gone.”

Alwyn Humphreys, chairman of Pant Tenants and Residents Association, added:
“Over the years, a few, very dedicated and committed individuals have served the local community with total selflessness – truly wonderful people.
“It will be a great loss to the community if it all dies.”

A spokeswoman from Wrexham Council said: “The executive board had previously approved the granting of a lease of the Gardden Community Centre to a local management committee and officers are currently working to conclude these negotiations.”

A spokesman for Dee Valley Community Partnership was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.