Community encouraged to use centre over winter

The manager of a new community centre in the east of the Isle of Man has encouraged people to continue to use the hub during the winter months.

Cassi McAllister said the Roundhouse, in Braddan, could "effectively" act as a warm space as it had a free mini library with books, games and adult colouring, as well as a piano to practice on.

There was "great scope" for anyone who wanted to "come along, sit and be and belong somewhere" during the colder months, she said.

The centre has also launched card making sessions on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 13:00 BST, at a cost of £3 to cover to cost of craft materials as well as tea and coffee.

Ms McAllister said those sessions, which will run until April, would give people the additional opportunity to interact, rather than "just sit in a public space".

A need had been identified for daytime activities where people could "congregate" and "socialise", with groups that already engaged with the centre during the summer looking for "something a little bit different", she said.

The centre hoped to develop the activities it offered such as backgammon, chess or drafts, depending on the success of initial sessions, she added.

The delayed £9.4m complex, which is situated near Noble's Hospital, partially opened to the public in January with more facilities opened during the spring.

The Braddan Commissioners project was hit by access issues because of an eight-month dispute between government and the local authority, which was resolved in August.

Additional reporting by Emma Draper, Local Democracy Reporter.

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