Volunteers at Burnham Area Youth Centre were pleased to receive a visit from Burnham MP James Heappey as the centre goes from strength to strength.
The centre’s committee was keen to prove it was still open for business just weeks after it was revealed the Zone Youth Club, which is based at the centre, was set to close due to funding cuts. However, Mike Laing, the centre’s chairman, said the club was ‘thriving’ with all the other clubs using it very busy.
James Heappey, MP for Burnham-on-Sea, said: “So much happens at the BAY Centre every week serving so many different parts of our community.
“It was great to meet some of the centre’s users today. It’s good to see the centre going from strength to strength – long may it continue as such an important part of the Burnham and Highbridge community.”
Mr Heappey toured the BAY Centre with Mr Lang and discussed the success and high occupancy of the centre as well as how it was coping through tough economic times. He was also introduced to the U3A table tennis club who had finished their practice and were happy to meet the MP.
Mr Lang told the MP how busy the centre was and how this was aided by a new website and online booking system, designed by volunteer, John Colqohoun.
Mike Lang, chairman of the BAY centre said: “All visitors are welcome at the BAY Centre, and members of our trustees committee work hard ensuring the building is up to scratch.
“We try to run as a community resource, with running costs met from rents paid by our user groups.
“Additionally, repairs and improvements to the building are funded by occasional fundraising and various improvement grants.”
Following the MP’s visit, a spokesman for the Zone Youth Club has revealed a new committee is set to take over the youth club in February and they will continue to search for funding.
The spokesman said: “We are the new zone group who are the committee led group that will be taking over in February. Applications for funding are being sent left, right and centre.
