Story: Lisa Swift
Under Council budget proposals, Verdon Recreation Centre will lose all its staff from April.
Less than a year ago, local residents expressed their anger at staff changes at the centre. Residents felt that relationships built between the local community and regular Activity Sheffield staff were an important part of the success of the centre and the surrounding neighbourhood. Meetings with councillors and managers saw changes to proposals.
Now the Council proposes a complete cut of any staff support. Users of the Centre told the Messenger what this would mean:
“We’ve been using the centre for about 20 years. We used to work at Stanley Tools on Rutland Road which is gone now but we still come here. We think it’s important to have staff based here to make sure the centre is maintained properly. We’ve had keys in the past but, if something happens while you’re here, you end up having to deal with it.”
Dave Broadhead, Stanley Tools group
“It needs someone to be here to support the community. Why is it always the things that work that come to an end? We need a worker here, the centre is very well used. This centre represents Burngreave. If you want to see community cohesion in action, here it is.”
Fatima Musa, local resident and community worker
“All the women here would never come out of their homes if it wasn’t for our group. They do exercise, they relax, they have a social life. We really enjoy it here and the staff are very good, they are very friendly and they support us a lot.”
Aamina Xassan, Mothers of Burngreave The Council says it will still make Verdon Recreation Centre available for hire.
Friends of Verdon Recreation Centre will be holding a meeting on 2nd February, 4pm at Verdon Recreation Centre.
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