A DAY care centre for adults with learning disabilities in St Neots could be transformed into a community centre after it closes later this year. The Bargroves Resource Centre in Cromwell Road is expected to close at the end of spring or in early summer,

A DAY care centre for adults with learning disabilities in St Neots could be transformed into a community centre after it closes later this year.

The Bargroves Resource Centre in Cromwell Road is expected to close at the end of spring or in early summer, with service-users being transferred to the Shortsands Day Centre in Cambridge Street.

The Bargroves Centre provides support to adults with learning disabilities and difficulties and includes a spa pool, sensory room, a teaching flat with kitchen, a special autistic room and an award-winning garden.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire County Council told The Hunts Post that the centre "is a huge, underused building" and the transfer of its services would mean "a better location" closer to the town centre and "much more user friendly facilities".

Councillors on St Neots Town Council have said they do not object in principle to the centre's closure, as long as the building is retained for community use and not left empty.

At the St Neots Town Council meeting, last Wednesday (February 6), the Mayor of St Neots, Cllr Bob Eaton, said he "would love to see the centre retained for use by the community". He added that, although the town council could not afford to buy the building, it would be happy to look into running it as a community centre.

Cllr Gordon Thorpe agreed and asked that a meeting be set up with the county council to see if it would be prepared to hand the building over.

Cllr Derek Giles, a third Liberal Democrat, added that the "possibilities for using the centre for the community are limitless."

However, Philip Devonald, clerk to the town council, said councillors should be cautious. He said: "We have to be realistic and realise that there will be a financial cost to be paid."

A spokesman for the county council said it had not yet decided what to do with the Bargroves Centre and would be prepared to listen to any proposals the town council might have for its future use.

INFORMATION: What do you think the Bargroves Centre should be used for?

Send your views to: editor@huntspost.co.uk or write to: Bargroves debate, The Hunts Post, 30 High Street, Huntingdon PE29 3TB.