ALTON Community Centre is "back and fighting fit" following a hard won recovery which has seen last year's disastrous £19,500 loss converted into a modest surplus of almost £4,000. It is heart-warming news for Alton Community Association (ACA) members who, according to centre manager, Richard Swainston, have seen the centre begin once again to prosper and spirits to soar. Speaking after Monday's AGM, Mr Swainston told The Herald: "During the year we saw the withdrawal of the threat of closure which enabled us to attract more funding and everybody has pulled together to produce what for us is an incredible turn-a-round." Income of £242,233 was some £54,000 more than the previous year and represented a 30 per cent increase, both in turnover and room hire revenue. "Indeed, such is the increase in business that the centre is now bursting at the seams," said Mr Swainston. "We are certainly hoping that progress is made on plans for a new building in the not too distant future." In an upbeat report, ACA chairman Pat Lerew said how delighted she was that the year had gone so well. "At the last AGM I said I had every confidence that this year would turn the corner financially and I am very pleased to be proved right." Although delighted that 2003/4 had been such a success, Richard Swainston urged caution. "Don't expect the same next year - next year's budget should be one of consolidation." He added: "My aim is to secure the association for the long term, to see us fit for whatever may be round the corner and able to provide support for all the disparate groups that call the community centre 'home'." The future is certainly looking bright with ACA's remarkable takeover of Adult Education provision in Petersfield producing outstanding results. What began as a rescue package has so far seen a doubling of the number of students enrolled and plans for a district wide programme, under the East Hampshire Leisure Learning banner, which next term will expand to include Bordon, Kingsley and Liss. "The next year should certainly be an interesting one," said Mr Swainston, who believes the £3,872 surplus, for the year ending August 2004, does not adequately reflect the hard work which has gone into achieving this success. It is far cry from the depths of despair following a review of services, commissioned in 2002 by ACA, which revealed untenable financial and operational difficulties. At the time there was a very real threat of closure supported by a call for a new purpose- built facility. As owner of the building, East Hampshire District Council came to the rescue by accepting responsibility for inherent structural problems, spending around £25,000 on damp proofing the ground floor rooms and helping with internal redecoration. Relieved of a major burden, the ACA trustees regained confidence and decided to build on what they'd got while continuing to fight Alton's corner. As a result, a further independent review of community facilities was commissioned by HCC from North Harbour Consultancy which, following consultation with many organisations and individuals in the town, reached the same conclusion, that the community centre, along with other public buildings in Alton, required increased investment to bring them up to modern day standards. As a result discussions are currently being held to consider whether a new community centre could become the home for several organisations, embracing the needs not just of ACA but, for example, of the CAB which has outgrown its current premises in Cross and Pillory Lane and desperately needs more space and improved access for disabled clients. Billed as "a multi-million pound project", the provision of a new community centre for Alton is to be the topic of confidential discussions at EHDC cabinet next month, with ACA fingers crossed for a positive outcome to further enhance the road to recovery.
