FUNDING may soon be found for an extension project for the Ashtorre Centre on Saltash Waterside – which would prove to be a boost for community facilities in the area.
Caradon council has agreed to support the Ashtorre Rock Community Centre's application for SRB funding amounting to £50,000.
Council members have also decided to earmark £83,112 of the £193,000 it has set aside for the Saltash Waterside phase two project for the Centre, and have agreed to bring forward money in its capital programme to allow a grant of £20,022 to be given in this financial year, with £63,090 coming in the next.
Members of the council were told by Saltash councillor, Marjorie Schikowsky, that the Waterside scheme could help attract visitors to the area.
They also heard that the Ashtorre Rock Community Trust had worked extremely hard to develop their project.
The Centre was first opened in l99l with funds raised by the local community.
There is now a need to make further access for the disabled, both on the terrace and the extra meeting rooms which are proposed for the first floor.
In addition there is a requirement to provide full catering services for the functions and meetings, thus leading to a full employment post for a centre manager - a role that to date has been voluntary.
Planning permission has been awarded already for an extension of the centre's balcony to convert it into a riverside terrace for a number of uses.
The second phase will include the first floor extension, with the new meeting rooms, as well as loft storage space.
The members are currently awaiting to see if their application for SRB funding is successful.
Work would then begin at the end of next month, but the centre would remain open while this is proceeding.
It is expected the works would take about four months to finish.