As a result of BBC Radio Leicester's BIG Debate, the Highfields Centre has been promised more than £100,000 in extra funding next year. Listen to The BIG Debate on the Highfields Centre in full and take a look at the photographs of the evening...There is still some contention between Leicester City Council and the Highfields Community Association though, about who should run the centre.  | | People at The BIG Debate |
The head of the Highfields Community Association, Abdul Osman, says his organisation want to be given community governance, which means total control of the centre. The Council are reluctant to agree to this, but by the end of The BIG Debate, discussions began about how soon the Highfields Community Association could take on the running of the centre. Background on the Highfields CentreThe refurbished £4.3million multifunctional Highfields Centre was launched in 2004. Two years on and the centre remains empty. | "We want a constructive solution to the long term and outstanding issue about the centre that should be serving the community." | | Abdul Razak Osman, Chair of HCA |
This is because there has not been a final agreement between the Highfields Community Association and Leicester City Council over the governance of the building. This is effecting the funding for key members of staff at the centre, which needs to be collected from individuals and Leicester City Council. The Highfields Community Association wants to have total control of the centre, but some residents disagree and Leicester City Council wants an input too. Listen to the arguments of the different sides and make your mind up... Centre facilities | | Not a full seat in sight. |
The new centre is situated in the heart of Highfields in Leicester. The centre is a stunning building suited for the needs of the community. It is recognised as a model community centre, and it has the following facilities: - Youth Wing - cyber café. Kitchenette, after school & children
- Community Wing – kitchen, hall with stage
- Sewing Room
- Basketball court
- Radio & TV editing suite
- Graphic Room
- Music Production Room
- IT suite
- Meeting rooms
- Under 5's crèche facilities
- Sports hall
- Aerobics studio
- Fitness Studio
Take a look at the Highfields Centre's facilities... The facilities are funded by Sports England, Learning and Skills Council, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Single Regeneration Budget 2 (SRB2). Abdul Razak Osman, Chair of Highfields Community Association told us: "We want a constructive solution to the long term and outstanding issue about the centre that should be serving the community." Have your say on the Highfields Centre on the BBC Leicester message board... | 
