Residents question future of Luton community centre after £1.94m refurbishment plans

​The council revealed plans to use £3.7million to renovate both Lewsey Community Centre and Bury Park Community Centre earlier this year.

The Bury Park centre, in Dunstable Road, will have a new entrance with a relocated reception area, while the ground floor is set to be redesigned with an event space for up to 300 people.

But lifelong Bury Park resident Maz Iqbal has voiced concerns about what it will be used for once it reopens after the upgrades – along with fears it could make existing parking problems even worse.

The 54-year-old said: “It’s never open for anything; it’s just basically for commercial purposes. [The council] don’t actually run any of the services, so everything’s outsourced privately to other people.”

The centre’s website includes details about hiring various rooms, but does not mention services available for the community.

But the council has defended its plans – and said the centre will continue to provide a home for activities and services for all ages.

A spokesperson said: “Like other council-managed community centres across Luton, Bury Park Community Centre will offer affordable and accessible facilities for social functions alongside its wider community programme.

“This is an established part of the council's community centre offer and helps ensure residents have access to affordable venues for important family and community events.

“The council is investing £1.94m to provide the community with a fully refurbished centre offering enhanced, modern facilities (including digital screens) to support a wide range of activities, including hybrid meetings, conferences, social functions, education, training sessions and public Wi-Fi access.

“Together, these upgrades will help ensure the centre is sustainable, efficient, and able to deliver a balanced mix of activity and services to meet local community needs.”

Maz claims the community has repeatedly asked for facilities aimed at children, young people and older people, but feels their suggestions have not been acted upon.

He said: “There’s no accountability whatsoever… there’s no feedback, nothing. What we want is for them to actually ask the local community what they would like before they spend £2 million of taxpayers’ money.”

According to the council, the refurbished community centre will “provide enhanced, flexible spaces that can be adapted to meet the needs” of the community.

The spokesperson added: “This will enable a wide range of activities and services for children and young people, including Family Hub provision, homework support, stay and play sessions, martial arts, and out-of-school activities.

“The centre will continue to support older residents through activities including a weekly lunch club, chair-based exercise sessions and weekly wellbeing sessions for women.”

Maz also voiced concerns over the venue being marketed for weddings, which he says could bring scores of vehicles to an area already facing serious parking trouble.

Maz explained: “How does it help the community? It’s almost competing against businesses.”

The council’s spokesperson said: “Weddings are only one aspect of the improved social function offer available to the local community following the refurbishment.

“We recognise there are parking and traffic challenges in the area, and the council continues to work with local residents and partners to help address these issues. Centre users will be signposted to nearby public car parks.”

The centre would not allow large-scale bookings on Luton Town FC match days.