A campaign to save a closure-threatened community centre has won the support of a north-east MP.
Bennachie Leisure Centre, in Insch, has just weeks left to raise the thousands of pounds it needs to secure its future.
The charity-run facility has been a popular spot for Insch residents for 20 years, but earlier this year put out a desperate appeal for new volunteers to help keep it running.
Last month the board – which only took over in April – revealed they had inherited £20,000 of debts which have to be cleared by the end of September.
A crowdfunder was launched and has so far raised close to £3,300, while a family fun day on Saturday raised about £4,900.
Now the area’s MP has joined the fight to keep the facility open.
Colin Clark, who represents Gordon at Westminster, said: “It says a lot about the strength of feeling among the local community that thousands of pounds have already been raised to help retain the Bennachie Leisure Centre.
“The fundraising target remains high, however, and it will not be easy for the volunteers to come up with the money required to keep the facility going.
“I will be doing what I can in my capacity as local MP to help and I have already contacted the group to see what assistance my office can provide.”
The centre has suffered a dwindling membership recently, possibly due to the oil downturn combined with rising operating costs.
Without immediate help from the community, the newly-elected board cannot apply for grant funding to pull the centre out of the financial black hole.
The board has organised a public meeting for tonight where locals will have the chance to find out more about the future of the site.
The meeting takes place in the centre from 7pm.
To donate to the campaign’s crowdfunder visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/keep-blc-open.
