THE crisis at Alton Community Centre has been averted with a positive decision by management to "refurbish, revitalise and reinvest" in what is expected to be a bright, progressive future.

According to the centre manager, Richard Swainston, Alton Community Association (ACA) trustees have withdrawn the threat of closure and are in the throes of making improvements which, it is believed, will set the centre on track to meet the needs of the 21st century.

The statement follows concerns raised last year over a review of services, commission by the 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. But, according to Mr Swainston, it was a pipedream - there was no funding to support such a project.

Instead the landlord, East Hampshire District Council, has sought to allay management fears by agreeing to release ACA trustees from some of their liability.

Not only has EHDC accepted responsibility for inherent structural faults, it is currently spending around £25,000 on damp proofing the ground floor rooms affected by rising damp from the River Wey, which runs beneath the foundations.

"Confirmation that EHDC would take away this major burden has helped to restore trustee confidence and kick-started the decision to stay and build on what we already have," said Mr Swainston.

According to Mr Swainston, an interim report following a recent review of community facilities in Alton by Hampshire County Counci has identified ACA as being in a position to play a crucial central role in the provision and management of community facilities within the town.

The review has taken the form of three questionnaires, the first aimed at ACA users, the second at facility providers and the third at voluntary organisations and potential users.

A 47 per cent return for the first set of questionnaires has confirmed that Alton Community Centre is a lovely building but rundown. "People know the building needs work on it but in general would like to see the place continue," said Mr Swainston.

Mr Swainston sees Alton Community Centre acting as a central point for the booking, provision and invoicing of facilities and services throughout the town, including the hiring of rooms, of equipment and even of caretaker and maintenance services and of mini-bus hire.

"At this stage it is just a vision. We have the technology to enable us to do this but we need the support of the community and the local authorities because at the end of the day, somebody has got to pay for it," said Mr Swainston.

At present the local authorities fund less than ten per cent of the centre's running costs and the trend is towards ever-decreasing financial support from this direction.

"It is a chicken and egg situation - we have to demonstrate that we are progressing and achieving our own and central government objectives, but we are having to do this with limited resources," said Richard Swainston.

While the threat of closure has secured ACA trustees more support, particularly from EHDC, it has also worked against them. Alton Town Council, for example, has been reluctant to agree a level of financial support.

But money has now been secured to undertake extensive refurbishment of the centre, including the bar and the main hall which is to benefit from the installation of a suspended ceiling, new lighting, heating and sound system and complete redecoration.

"This is not a game. If the centre closes the losers will be the people of this town and the employees," said Mr Swainston.

He suggests the most immediate way for local people to help is by taking out ACA membership, which costs £9 for adults over the age of 18, with a reduction for senior citizens, and £15 for families.

Richard Swainston's message is clear: "We need to convince everyone concerned of our commitment to expand and develop the services we offer and that Alton Community Centre is both willing and able to play a leading role in the future provision of community facilities in Alton."