Grange Community Centre is not currently in use

A Preston community centre is set to be sold off or demolished.

Grange Community Centre in Ribbleton had been earmarked to be transferred Grange Primary School but the county council said it was not willing to take it on.

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Now the city council’s cabinet faces a decision on whether to knock down the boarded up centre or sell the building and land to the Community Gateway Association.

A report to the cabinet outlines how the centre has become a target for vandals costing more than £10,000 in repairs.

Council officers state: “There is a pressing need to come up with a long term solution regarding the Centre.

“To leave the Community Centre in its current state is not a viable option. Grange Community Centre has been subject to constant vandalism and break-ins. This is despite the Centre being secured by ‘tinning up’.”

Community Gateway Association are said to now be interested in the site but they would not be able to build on the site until 2018 at the earliest.

The city council could choose to demolish the building.

Officers estimate is the council was to give away the site or sell it a reduced site it could lose up to £132,000.

Demolition costs are estimated at £124,000.

The future of Farringdon Park community centre has become clearer as the council is asked to approve an expression of interest from the Residents of Farringdon and Thirlmere.

The council would make repairs to the centre in Ribbleton costing £8,450.

The residents would be allowed to take on the centre rent free for 12 months, ahead of forming a Community Interest Company to manage the building.

Tanterton community centre followed a similar model in December when the council approved its transfer to a local residents group.

Wednesday 13 August will be decision day for both the centres as the cabinet meets at the Town Hall.

View the council reports on the Grange centre and the Farringdon centre

Do you live in the area? What do you think of the plans for the community centres? Let us know in the comments below