A DECISION by Blackburn with Darwen Council to hand over control of a community centre has sparked outrage.

The popular Audley Sports and Community Centre in Blackburn is set to change hands after the council announced it is to seek “alternative methods” of managing the centre.

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Council bosses are now looking for a community group or organisation to take over its management.

Regular user Razina Bahadur has said that he’s “outraged” at the decision The 40-year-old, who has used the centre in Chest Street for 10 years, said: “If the centre is taken over by a private company, we won’t have the facilities that we have at the moment.

“Their prices will be too high.

“We don’t want it taken over by anyone else.

“We’ve been going there for years and for them to do this overnight is an outrage.”

The announcement comes as the council seeks alternative methods of working after government budget cuts.

Nearby resident Rahima Jogee, 43, who attends the centre four times per week, said: “I am very disappointed.

“We have a right to have a say.

“I am concerned about who will take it over, why it is being done, whether they will be private, how much they will charge and what they will provide.

“The centre makes a huge difference to lots of people’s lives, offering free sessions for people who are poor or out of work.

“We understand that cuts must be made, but why cut back on something which has a big impact in the community?”

The centre has been open for 35 years and provides free daily badminton and football classes and circuit classes, among others.

Under current plans, a community group or organisation would mange the running of the centre, while the council would continue to own the building.

Cllr Damian Talbot, executive member for leisure, said: “Any decisions which impact on Audley will not be taken until we have had discussions with councillors and with residents.

“The council is committed to Audley sports centre remaining a facility open to the public.

“It is very much valued as a facility both by local residents in the Audley area and people from a wider area too.

“It is very popular and very well attended and it has a lot of community support from the community.”

The council cited Bangor Street community centre as an example of this approach working in practice.

A spokesman for the centre said: “The centre will not be closing but as a result of government budget reductions the council has to consider new ways of working.

“We will be looking for a community group or organisation that can take on the day-to-day running of the centre.”

A public meeting is due to be held, with details being released on the centre’s Facebook page in the coming days.