A meeting will be held at Hubberston Community Centre tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm, to discuss the viability of community ownership.

At a meeting last week locals were told that the centre will have to close in April, unless a group can be set up to take over its running. James White, head of performance and community at Pembrokeshire County Council, and Steve Davis, head of youth services, painted a frank picture of the financial situation facing the centre, currently operated by the county council.

Mr White said that the centre was currently running at a £14,000 annual loss, and that – with more cuts to council budgets expected – the authority could no longer cover the shortfall. Apologising for the ‘harsh message’ he was delivering, Mr White said there was ‘no point gilding the lilly’ but the ‘money simply wasn’t there’.

The centre is currently used by little Acorns Playgroup, Milford Haven Town Band, the WI, Ladies’ Glade, and provides two adult learning sessions a week. Youth club services, which had been one of the centre’s biggest users, were moved to Milford Haven earlier this year.

Last November it was hoped that the centre would be protected until 2017, following a pledge by the county council that it could be used as part of the Flying Start programme.

However, in March, it was revealed that this was no longer possible.

Many of those at the meeting asked what state the building would be in when handed over.

Mr White said that although major refurbishments or repairs would not be possible, the council would be ‘honour bound’ to pass it over in a ‘functional state’.

While some suggested there was potential to increase the profitability of the centre by holding wedding receptions and birthday parties, others were not convinced.

Mr White said the council was prepared to ‘engage with anyone who has a credible plan’ but stressed that ‘time was of the essence’.

Anyone with suggestions about securing the centre’s future, or who would like to be involved, is welcome at tonight’s meeting.