Efforts are underway to prevent the closure of Blandford youth center. Meeting set to find solutions for youth services.
Byron Quayle asked for an investigation into the closure. Sutton said no. The trustees made the decision. Dorset Council wasn’t involved. It’s not right for them to investigate.
Sutton understands the impact on Blandford. The meeting aims to work with community partners. They hope to lessen the youth center’s loss. They want to ensure youth have safe spaces.
Quayle spoke at a Dorset Council meeting in February. He said the center was vital. The closure greatly concerns the community. People want to know why it closed down.
Sutton said they tried hard last fall. They worked to keep the club open. Ward councillors and Dorset Youth Association helped then. They considered options to recruit new trustees. Building costs were negotiated with the school. They explored the use of the building as a Family Hub. It was not possible to proceed.
Dorset Council gave grants to the center. They paid grants in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.