Volunteers are needed to manage a community centre at Elstree's Composers Park, before it can be brought back to life with a £100,000 revamp.

Hertsmere Borough Council, which is paying for the revamp, is looking for a committee of volunteers to be involved from the beginning, suggesting ideas for improvements and running the centre, in Sulllivan Way, once work has finished.

The council is looking for at least six people, who are enthusiastic and may have some relevant experience, to fill unpaid positions, including a chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Hertsmere senior landscape officer David Clarke, said although the council had general plans to refurbish the building and provide heating, and possibly new toilets and a new kitchen, the committee would suggest other improvements that should be made.

Mr Clarke said the exciting project should be fun for volunteers to be part of, but added: "Work on the building can not start until we have established a management committee, which we would like to be representative of the whole community."

It is hoped the centre can be used for wedding receptions, bingo, parties, a youth club, mother-and-toddler groups and 50-plus classes.

Elstree's St Nicholas School is also understood to be interested in using the building and the County Wildlife Site behind it.

Work on the run-down, graffiti-covered centre which is virtually unused compared to a few years ago when it was busy with activities is due to start within the next couple of months.

The council intends to finance the centre for the three years, after which it is intended to become self-financing.

For information on becoming a volunteer call David Clarke on 020 8207 7519

October 1, 2002 17:00