Community group hold consultation on James Allan Centre

A consultation was held by a community group on their plans for a community centre in Dunfermline. As previously reported in the Press, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Edinburgh & Fife, held the event to give people the chance to hear about their plans to acquire James Allan Community Centre through a community asset transfer. It also gave locals the chance to learn more about the group’s activities and to ask any questions.

Cllr Gordon Pryde commented: “The consultation event on Saturday went very well with a good gathering of residents from the neighbourhood, representatives from the Ahmadiyya community and local councillors.“Questions raised by local residents included what the impact would be on nearby parking and access regarding future use of the centre for community events.

“It was explained that during periods when the centre wasn’t being used as a place of worship that there would be availability for community use. It is expected that this future use would not be as restrictive as is currently the case.”However, use for one group would still continue after the purchase and there would be the opportunity for availability to use the centre on Sundays.Cllr Pryde added: “Existing community use by the Chow & Chat Group on a Friday would be maintained and there would be the option to use the building at times when it is not currently available.

“At present due to staffing restrictions within the Community Use Service there is currently no availability for use on a Sunday. If the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) were to go ahead then that would not be the case. “All who attended were generally supportive of the proposal and considered that it would be beneficial to the local area.”The event was also attended by Cllr Brian Goodall and Cllr Gavin Ellis.

Cllr Goodall posted on his Facebook page: “I was happy to support the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Edinburgh & Fife at their consultation event at the James Allan Centre in Dunfermline today. “The group currently work in partnership with Rosyth Parish Church so they have a space for prayers and a base for the massive amount of community work they do.“Their hope is that they can take over the James Allan Centre from the Council, so they will have a place of their own in Fife, but they are also committed to keeping it going as a centre for all of the local community. “With the added bonus that they don’t plan to charge any other groups to use the centre.”

Cllr Gavin Ellis added: “Was great to attend the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Edinburgh & Fife consultation in the James Allan Centre today. Was good to hear the local residents who attended raise valid questions around centre usage and parking. The concerns were all addressed and it was clear that the centre will continue to offer Chow & Chat and hall hire facilities free of charge. “The local residents I spoke to at the event after watching the presentation and speaking to the Ahmadiyya members are now supportive of a community asset transfer from Fife council to the Ahmadiyya community.”

https://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/24981642.community-group-hold-consultation-james-allan-centre