THE potential for Lottery funding to help save Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre from closure topped the suggestions at a public meeting last week.

At a packed meeting at the centre on Wednesday (January 27) residents and local councillors met with Rachel Harding, of Invest Local.

Invest Local is a new programme, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, that aims to give local people the chance to improve their area in the way that is best for them.

Hubberston has been identified as one of 13 areas in Wales that could benefit from the £1million funding, which will be delivered over the next ten years.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss which projects and activities local people wanted to see happen, and how the money could best help the community.

“Given the current proposals to close the Community Centre, there was a focus on how the programme could assist in keeping the centre open, and a large part of the meeting was spent discussing different options, should it prove possible to transfer the hall from the county council to an independent charity or community organisation,” said Ms Harding.

“There was also concern expressed during the meeting about the closure of the football pitch for the junior members of the Hakin AFC and the lack of facilities in general in the area for young people.”

Hubberston county councillor Viv Stoddart said: “I was delighted that representatives from all the area's organisations came along to hear what the charity had to say.

“This has huge potential for the areas Cllr Mike Stoddart and I represent – Hakin and Hubberston - and the big turnout for this initial meeting gives us confidence that it is an opportunity that the community will grasp with both hands.”

Ms Harding stressed that it was for the community to decide how the money is used to help shape the future of the area, and will be talking to local people over the next few weeks, with a second meeting scheduled for mid-March.

She can be contacted on 07736 158 827, 01497 566002 or rachel.harding@bct.wales.