Originally owned and maintained by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) Ruddington’s former Youth & Community (Young People’s) Centre has lain empty and disused since December 2016. The main building had to be boarded up in 2018 following repeated acts of vandalism.
In December 2019, Ruddington Parish Council (RPC) announced it had purchased the facility from NCC to refurbish it and put it back into use by our community. After delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a Community Centre working group was set up by RPC later in 2020.
Its members carried out an Open Survey during November and December that year for Ruddington residents to voice our opinions on core aspects of what it should offer and be used for in the future. However, by April 2021, RPC had discovered the current building (opened only in 1983) was in such a dilapidated state (with asbestos adding to their problems) they would need to bulldoze it and start again.
Later that year, bold plans were unveiled to erect more modern facilities in its place. The designs were drawn up by Architectural Advisor Chris Marriott, in conjunction with RPC, and another public consultation held on the proposed appearance and layout of new buildings on the site behind The Green (as pictured above).
These plans received a generally positive public response, although some villagers favoured the site being turned into a much-needed extra parking area instead. Parking spaces are included in the plans – but turning RPC’s vision into reality could take some time, whilst the relevant funding is found.
After a delay in demolishing the current building, caused by a survey finding evidence of roosting bats, it’s finally being knocked down. The site will then be levelled, with a view to allowing parking there until plans for a new Ruddington Community Centre can be realised.
RPC told RUDDINGTON.info that the demolition work, which started on Monday 3rd July, is scheduled to take five weeks. It apologises for any disturbance caused during this period.
Graham Wright via RUDDINGTON.info