Uncertain future for fire-hit Corstorphine Community Centre

The future of Corstorphine Community Centre remains up in the air after plans to create a merged ‘hub’ were labelled unfeasible by Edinburgh City Council officers.

A row erupted in August after those planning to rebuild the centre, which was destroyed by fire in 2013, revealed they had been assured £750,000 worth of funding for a new centre would be made available.

However, the chances of any plans being funded became slim when an officers report in December highlighted a £13.6m shortfall in funding for repairing community centres across the city.

In a report to the council’s Finance and Resources committee, due to be discussed on Thursday, it was revealed only six community centres are in good condition.

The report states that combining the existing library and community centre at the centre’s existing properties on Kirk Loan were both unfeasible.

The company behind plans to rebuild the centre also suggested they could purchase Westfield House, a council-owned office block, as another option as part of a community asset transfer.

However the council report stated any sale would be expected to see the market value paid for the site which is around the corner from the existing community centre site.

It leaves the future of the community centre in the air, but a last gasp move to get the project funded at Thursday’s meeting could still happen.

However, the council’s depute leader Cammy Day said he struggled to see why the Corstorphine plans should jump the queue.

He said: “We are committed to try and develop Corstorphine Community Centre but we are in a really difficult financial situation with a £13.6m and an ever reducing budget from the governments that fund us and we need their help to find a solution.

“We are looking at solutions but there is not a simple solution to find £750,000 when the council is strapped for cash.”

Conservative councillor Andrew Johnston said the situation has been very badly handled by the administration.

He said: “The community centre has been badly let down and the community would have expected it in the budget.

“They have been given a legitimate expectation that they would get that funding but that has been very very badly handled by the administration. We have been looking at ways of bringing it forward ahead of Thursday.”

Cllr Neil Ross said: “Liberal Democrat councillors are keen to see the current Corstorphine Community Centre project go ahead as soon as possible. As a Council, we should be encouraging community groups to provide activities that meet the needs of their local residents.

“Every part of our city needs access to community facilities so we have found the extra resources necessary to add to the Community Centre group’s own funds and allow the project to proceed without further delay.”

A council spokesman said: “We’re supportive of community asset transfers in the city and officers continue to work with the Corstorphine Community Centre SCIO on viable options.”