Community watchdogs have questioned a bid to boost a loss-making community centre.

Town councillors had looked at ways of funding an extension to Walton's underused Columbine Centre.

However, both Frinton and Walton residents' associations have raised concerns about using ratepayers' money in order to carry it out.

Frinton Residents' Association claim there has been no attempt to find out if there is a need for the extra classroom-type facilities being suggested - costing £500,000.

In its newsletter released prior to the annual meeting, members questioned the need and asked if the facilities are provided elsewhere, how much income would be generated and if it would be self-funding.

"We have great respect for the time and effort our town councillors spend on their duties but we cannot understand why they want to extend the centre at such enormous cost to the ratepayers when analysis of the existing facilities shows the utilisation of the function room is less than 15 per cent and the main hall about 40 per cent," said the letter.

Published Wednesday April 14, 2004

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