A GROUP is being formed to try to save a community centre, gym and children's nursery from closure.
Members will fight to secure the future of Meir Community and Education Centre (CEC) after it was given a six-month stay of execution.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council handed the lifeline to CEC, in Pickford Place, after threatening to close it down as part of plans to save �35.6 million by April, 2012.
Now council officials want a community group or trust to take over the running of the centre.
Parents and staff connected to the Ducklings Pre-School, which is based at the centre, collected almost 1,300 names on a petition as part of their fight.
Pre-school manager Penny Williams, aged 42, of Meir, said: "We were devastated when we thought the centre was going to close, because it is such a well-used facility.
"It is crucial, especially for elderly people who wouldn't go anywhere if it closed.
"A number of parents wouldn't be able to have childcare either.
"Luckily the council has seen the light and given us some time.
"We're looking to set a group up soon and make it as successful as we can. I'll do anything to support and promote the building."
Other facilities include a community hall and classrooms, which host adult education classes and exercise classes, and a fitness centre used by people aged between 12 and 85.
Meir Community Gym Action Group chairman Robert Charlton said: "It's brilliant that the council has given us the chance to run the community centre ourselves.
"The centre is for the community and it would be a shame to let it go.
"If community members run it, we should be able to get more people using it.
"We're preparing some advertising for the gym and looking to get other things going on, maybe some football coaching."
Latest figures show CEC costs the council �102,000 a year to run.
Finance officers estimate they could save �72,000 a year by closing CEC, after having to spend �30,000 on securing the site.
They warn CEC could still close if no group comes up with a viable business plan by September.
User numbers for the centre have not been provided by the council.
Council leader Councillor Mohammed Pervez said: "The easiest decision with Meir Community Centre would have been to close it down.
"But rather than that we are looking at how we can best safeguard facilities in Meir."
Councillor Terry Follows, cabinet member for environment, waste management and neighbourhood services, said: "The community centre has been the focus of a very concerted campaign by residents, but it costs a lot of money to run.
"We will continue to operate the centre for the next six months, while exploring if any other facilities can operate from there to increase its financial viability."
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