Volunteers at Mirfield Community Centre looking ahead to a brighter future

Until lockdown in March, the centre was thriving and almost fully booked every day Monday to Friday with weekend bookings too.

But virtually all its groups, activities and events were cancelled or put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

So during 2020, with the centre little used, the trustees have pushed ahead with an ongoing repairs and maintenance programme.

Mirfield Community Trust took over the centre, a Victorian former school in Water Royd Lane, in 2018.

The trustees then embarked on a series of repairs for the rundown building including extensive work on the roof and repairs to the heating system and plumbing.

One of the rooms was particularly badly damaged by the leaking roof and a dementia support group wanted to use it for meetings. The trustees put out a call for help on Facebook group Mirfield Matters.

The plea was answered by builder Steven O’Donnell, of Prizehouse Construction, who offered to do the renovations free of charge.

That work has now been completed and chairperson of the trustees, Catherine Whittingham, presented Steven with a hamper and some beer as a thank-you.

Catherine said: “Steven has done a fantastic job refurbishing the room and we are looking forward to welcoming people back when we can.

“When the trust took over the building in 2018 a lot of repairs and maintenance work was needed and while no-one knew what was going to happen in 2020, this time has meant we have been able to press ahead with the repairs.

“We have lots of ideas for the future and, as soon as we can, we want to have a consultation with the local community and find out what’s needed and what we can do to help.”

The centre had a weekly youth club; exercise, dance and martial arts classes; education and craft sessions; parent and toddler groups; dog training and more.

The trust also owns the site of the former Gilder Hall Youth Club in Mirfield and is working with Mirfield Town Council on plans to create a wildlife garden and public open space.