Scarborough Based Coast and Vale Community Action could be poised to take over the running of Pickering's Hungate centre.
The community centre was put up for sale by current operator the Royal Voluntary Service.
It caused controversy in the town as the centre was originally built in the 1960s using public donations and then gifted to the RVS to operate in trust.
Now CAVCA say there may be a way for them to take over the trusteeship of the building.
Chief Exec Mel Bonney says they have been talking to RVS about the situation
Mel says taking over the trusteeship of the building will involve CavCA making a payment to RVS to settle the "community debt" that they have accrued in running and maintaining the building. CaVCA say they will be running the centre for the benefit of the people of Pickering and not as a money making exercise.
Mel says it has been difficult for other groups and organisations to find the money needed to save the centre for community use but that CaVCA is in a unique position to be able to step in.
Over the years the modest property put up in the sixties has provided a base for everyone from craft groups to exercise classes, singers to slimmers and from jumble sales to dancing to 1940s swing music.
After the RVS announced it's intention to sell the building a local community group banded together to either try and raise the cash to buy the building for the town, or to persuade RVS to donate it to them.
The group put up a banner on the railings outside the Hungate Centre to draw attention to their online petition which attracted over 1,000 signatures. Members of the group also wrote to the RVS Board, some even writing to HM The Queen (RVS patron) and the Duchess of Cornwall (RVS President).
- RELATED STORIES : Pickering Community Groups Fight Sale of Community Centre
It's hoped that discussion between CaVCA and the RVS can be concluded in the next few days.
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