It is with disappointment & sadness that we must share some urgent changes we have had to make on how the community accesses the Community Centre going forward.  This will be especially important for all our local parents and young people. 

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As many will know, the Board & Staff have been working hard at the Centre to do our best to ensure that the facility is one that is open and welcoming to all.  These have included the first phase of deep cleaning, filling potholes in the the car park and attracting new user groups to join us at the Centre.  This concentrated & ongoing effort has seen an increase in the number of members & visitors using the Community Centre.  With an increase of traffic, we are also seeing an increased number of young people using the Centre's common spaces without parental  supervision.  

 

At first, we took this as a positive, however we are now at the point of being unable to manage the levels of antisocial & aggressive behaviour being aimed at our staff, partners, paying guests, infrastructure & surrounding car park.

 

This antisocial behaviour includes user groups having their room lets disrupted by unsupervised children, ongoing, repeated & deliberate vandalism of the toilets, aggression & fighting taking place both in the Centre & the car park, & staff & parents reporting bullying & abusive behaviour.  This behaviour is not something we should have to ask our user groups, volunteers & staff to manage on a daily basis.

 

Therefore, the Board with full support from Centre Management & staff have taken the decision ​that anyone under the age of 16 must be under the supervision of an adult, parent or guardian at all times when within the Centre. 

The only exception is when a parent or guardian is dropping off a child to attend an organised event or activity.  Any minor entering the Centre without a parent or guardian, will be asked to leave.   

We want to continue to encourage users to use the Community Centre facilities, however it needs to be a safe & inviting environment.

We ask that parents share this message with their children & support us to implement this change.  If you have any feedback or concerns about this, please feel free to get in touch.  We are hoping that this is a temporary measure and that we can work together with the community to find the best way forward.  

We thank you for your ongoing support.

 

The KCC Board and Staff Team