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[BenedictMcAleenan]

This is also posted in the council press releases part of the forum (here: http://www.shapps.com/forum/index.php?board=38.0 ) so apologies for double posting.

Here's the text of the release:

A SPACE in Hatfield

Queensway House in Hatfield town centre will become home to a new YMCA Youth and Community Centre, called SPACE and follows the model of the SPACE in Welwyn Garden City, which recently celebrated its first birthday.

The council has agreed to let the unit for the project for up to five years. The unit has been empty for a number of years. SPACE will be located on the ground floor of Queensway House, adjacent to the library and opposite Asda. A Centre manager will be recruited to run the facility, but SPACE Hatfield will be seeking volunteers to help out throughout the week.

YMCA and its partners, including local churches, will be investing a minimum of £10,000 to refurbish and reinvigorate the premises and make it a welcoming space for the community. If all goes to plan, the project is expected to open later this year.

Youth Champion, Councillor Irene Dean said: “It’s brilliant that this previously vacant unit will now be back in use, especially given its new role will be as a community project. SPACE will provide a number of services that I’m sure will prove really useful for Hatfield residents. And the location couldn’t be better - in the town centre, close to the market, the library and Asda.”

Councillor Alan Franey, Executive Member for Resources added: “I’m delighted that Cabinet were able to support such a worthwhile opportunity for young people and the Hatfield community.”

The SPACE Youth and Community Centre in Welwyn Garden City, next to Sainsbury’s, has been open for 15 months and currently has over 50 volunteers, aged 16 – 89. It provides a range of free programmes, seven days a week from 10am till 9pm, including; young parent toddler group, beginner’s computer course, an after school club, advice services and help, drop in facilities for the elderly.

Ron Dunning Development Manager at the YMCA said “We are delighted with the co-operation and support we have received from the Welwyn Hatfield Council in providing this unit to house SPACE Hatfield. It is a real example of the council supporting local community groups to establish much needed facilities and we look forward to working with the council and all our other partners to develop the centre over the coming months.”

[finely tuned]

Having community things like this is great and i do support these. However don't we already have the same facilities already in Hatfield Town Centre?

Unless it's closed No1 Hatfield does parent toddler groups and computer courses and various other things. I don't think it's used to it's maximum potential so do we really need another place doing much the same?


ft

[Hatfield Girl]

It's a good idea but why put it in that building?  Knowing some of the people who are put in that building, I wouldn't want to go there!