Adventure centre is saved from budget cuts

Parents said they were ecstatic after a council-run play centre was saved from budget cuts.

Dudley Council announced last year it would review the Sycamore Adventure Centre in Upper Gornal due to financial difficulties.

The centre is a registered charity which offers indoor and outdoor facilities as well as events. Parents have praised the centre for its inclusivity for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

It is donation only with a suggested price of £2 in the week and £4 in holidays.

Patrick Harley, the Conservative council leader, said he was pleased the Sycamore Centre had been spared from council cuts.

Last year the council commissioned an external review, costing £10,000, into the Sycamore Centre and Astley Burf Outdoor Activity Centre in Worcestershire, which has also been saved.

The authority is now looking for providers to express an interest in taking over the running of the two centres.

Donna Flurry-Haddock, chair of the Sycamore Adventure Charity, said it was "brilliant news".

She said: "I'm ecstatic about the fact that we're going to stay open for the foreseeable future.

"We've got lots of exciting events planned over Easter and the six weeks holidays.

"The parents are so happy it is going to stay open, it means so much to so many children."

Becky, a mum-of-three, said her family was "so grateful" the centre would remain open.

"I use the centre as a support network as well as somewhere for my children to go," she said.

"There's nowhere else like it for the SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) children to go and I think the council have realised how important it is for the community."

It had been feared that the two centres would close as Dudley Council looked to find £42 million of savings to balance its budget.

"As part of the council's new target operating model, we are exploring new and better ways to deliver services," Mr Harley said.

"For both the facilities we will now be inviting suitably qualified operators to express interest in running them."