THERE has been a public outcry this week over the potential "devastating" loss of one of Bordon's "greatest assets", the Forest Community Centre.

Last week's controversial report in The Herald has sparked much debate after it was announced that the centre's future maybe in jeopardy following "a very disappointing year" financially.

It was announced that the centre has had to dip into its emergency revenue after the town council cut funding.

The chairman of the Community Association, Jo Jordon, said: "We're not failing to perform. The building is in use. We carried out a survey, and we're up to 80 per cent usage.

"Closing the community centre is not really an option as it would not benefit anyone.

"The town council has to make difficult decisions about our funding.

"To make more money we need to get more people interested and encourage them to come and pay to use it. We need the help from the town, but, sadly, Bordon does not have the same pull as Petersfield or Alton.

"The residents are used to having so little, for example, you have to go 25 miles to a cinema. We have to work so hard to get people into the centre."

She explained that the community centre is not for profit, but that the running costs of the building are high, although there is reserve funding for unexpected repairs.

Mrs Jordan said: "It costs £,5000 every five years to fire-retard the roof and that money has to come from somewhere."

The centre even has to hire scaffolding when a light bulb needs changing in the main hall.

She described the centre's reserved revenue as "good housekeeping" and said the Community Association did not deserve to be "penalised" for it.

"Unfortunately, the council said we have enough and cut our grant down. We can't withstand that kind of drop in our revenue over the years. The money has got to come from somewhere. We can't come back from that kind of loss," she said.

"The important thing is that now people are aware of this, but it's been a problem for two years.

"We shouldn't assume Hampshire County Council will come to the rescue and make up the shortfall."

Lindsay Kelly, manager at the community centre said: "I think this is the sort of place you don't miss until it's gone.

"If people thought the community centre was going to close they might pull out of using it.

"Funding does need to be addressed, but we can't put our costs up. We're really here for the volunteer and community groups, so we can't hit them with higher costs," Mrs Kelly said.

Many charities use the community centre, and it also holds adult courses, anti-smoking meetings, blood donor sessions, parent and toddler groups and several after-school clubs run.

Mrs Kelly said: "It's not as if we are struggling because of space."

Tony Corbin, town project officer for Hampshire County Council, said: "Cuts are always unfortunate, but it's not peculiar to Whitehill and Bordon. It's a fact of life.

"If the centre were to close, it would be devastating to the town because it's essential to the lifeblood of the town.

"You cannot have a community without a community centre. But I don't think we face imminent closure.

"I think there's a duty on the part of the town partnership and others to make sure the centre is well promoted so that it is used.

"Funding is an issue, but it's not the only issue. It's a case of supply and demand."

Carl Tantum, secretary of the Forest Centre Association, said: "The community centre is undeniably one of the community's greatest assets; after all, it has the Whitehill Town Council the CAB and the community transport in the same building, all three of which have essential roles within the area."

He also highlighted one service that the community centre could offer but is unable to, not because of lack of funds, but because of lack of support. The community centre has been granted funds to run an after-school internet cafe.

Mr Tantum, said: "The initiative that Lindsay Kelly is trying to create is the internet cafe for young people. The computers and the room are there, but the person to help run it is not."

Mrs Kelly would need about six volunteers to help the cafe. She said: "The children could just come and go. It would be like a cafe and it would keep them off the streets."