Calls to save Ganolfan even if school shuts
A COUNCIL has been urged to keep a community facility open despite the village school being under threat of closure.
Under plans recently unveiled by Anglesey Council, Ysgol Gymuned Bodffordd could be shut with a new school built to absorb pupils from Llangefni’s Ysgol Corn Hir as well as those from the village.
The plans have been subject to a public consultation, with the vast majority of respondents in Bodffordd, being strongly against the school being closed.
But during a meeting of the authority’s executive recently, local councillors urged members to consider the needs of the village, specifically the school building’s dual purpose as the main community facility.
According to Cllr Bob Parry, Bodffordd’s Ganolfan is used on an almost daily basis to host a number of groups and societies, as well as the popular annual Eisteddfod.
At the meeting of Anglesey Coun- cil’s Executive, Cllr Bob Parry said: “I’m very supportive of modernising, what should be at the forefront of our thinking should always be the child’s education.
“But what I would ask the officers, hopefully with the backing of the executive today, is that we ask the property department if there is any way we can save the Ganolfan in Bodffordd from having to close.
“It’s vital that we retain a building that’s used every night, which hosts many of the village’s activities.
“If the Ganolfan is lost, Bodffordd would lose everything.
“I am asking if there is any way we can retain it for community use.”
Fellow Canolbarth Môn councillor, Dylan Rees, added: “I do worry what will happen to the Ganolfan and the playing fields, which are also used outside school hours.
“We need a comprehensive impact report on what effect this could have on the village before the plans proceed.”
In response, council leader Llinos Medi, said: “We do feel the Ganolfan is important and we will try to work with the community to do what we can in that regard.”