Christmas cancelled as Sheffield community centre's car park closed by council for £51 million leisure centre build
“I just think it’s sad really, because once again the elders in the community are going to left out in the cold”
A community centre in Sheffield is being forced to cancel its annual Christmas dinner and fears permanent closure as a new building project is set to take over their car park for two years.
“They’re destroying our community,” one resident shouted out at a meeting at Arbourthorne Social Centre on Monday, November 2, as locals fought to retain parking spaces.
It was announced only a few weeks prior that construction at the nearby £51 million Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre would require contractors to take over the social centre’s car park for up to two years from Monday, November 9.
Users of the centre - which hosts community sessions like dance classes, church groups and hot meals for the elderly - were given maps which showed how developers intended to take over the majority of the car park, including the disabled parking space, to house a construction cabin and associated works.
Members of Arbourthorne TARA (tenants and residents association) say that the council have only left a “sliver” for them to park, which they claim gives them just enough space for three cars if they block each other in.
“My mother is 87, so it’s functions like this that keep her going,” said Carol Burrell, who brings her mum to weekly bingo sessions at the hall as well as other functions throughout the year.
“She's had lung cancer, so for her to to be stuck in the house is no good for her.
“This is a really good community - we’ve been coming for years. I just feel that it’s a disadvantage really.”
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Representatives of developers Wilmott Dixon attended the meeting on Monday, alongside council officers and Park and Arbourthorne ward councillors Matt Smith and Ben Miskell.
It was explained how during construction, alternative parking provision would be offered at the the existing Springs Leisure Centre - which the Uriah Rennie centre is set to replace - and new community funds could help modernise the social centre.
They also said that despite original suggestions to put the construction site on a nearby grass verge, this was deemed unfeasible due to the foundation work that would need to take place.
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Residents said they don’t oppose the new leisure centre being built, but explained how many attendees are elderly and disabled and that they simply would not be able to travel on-foot from the alternate parking site, let alone feel safe in doing so during dark nights.
With only this week left to save their car park, they made their objections known to the council, and threatened to protest and block off the construction site if current plans go ahead.
The council have said they will have discussions internally and come back for another meeting on Wednesday, November 4, however not everyone is hopeful that this will make a difference.
“They’ve made their decision already,” Carol added.
“We know when they’ve made their decisions it’s going to happen. No matter how much we protest it’s going to happen.
“And I just think it’s sad really, because once again the elders in the community are going to left out in the cold.”
Derek Smith, chair of the Arbourthorne TARA, recently celebrated his 90th birthday at the social centre.
He says that the current car park plans mean that “a lot of people in Arbourthorne are going to be missing out” and fears that if the centre is taken out of action for two years they would permanently lose the community they have built.
He said: “It would never open again, bluntly.
“It would shut it down.”
Sheffield City Council have reiterated that the building itself will remain open throughout the construction work and they do not wish to see events disrupted or cancelled.
Councillor Marieanne Elliot, deputy chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee, said: “The whole car park is not being taken out of use.
“Whilst the new Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre is being built, some of the car park will be temporarily used as a contractor compound.
“The rest of the car park will be available as usual for people using Arbourthorne Social Centre and disability access will be prioritised.
“Officers have met with Arbourthorne TARA and we are keen to understand the potential impact on any of their plans and provide alternative parking. I hope that any specific concerns are urgently addressed to avoid the cancellation of community events such as a Christmas party.”