Oliver is star as centre gets back on track
AMAYOR has visited a youth centre that suffered flood dam- age.
Councillor Alift Harewood-Jones also met eightyear-old Oliver Gotts in action, the club’s star skater who is keen to get back on his skates at the MAC Activity Centre on Goodall Street.
The centre has become a popular hub for young people since Andy Brooks and his family opened it 14 months. Its main activity is a roller skating rink and it has a cafe, games and community room.
But it has ran into trouble after the skate rink was flooded in last month’s heavy rainfall, leaving them to find extra funding to replace it.
Coun Alift HarewoodJones visited the centre to see the flood damage.
While on the tour she met Oliver, who only started skating at the centre 14 months ago but has already joined a team in Ashbourne where he was selected to represent team GB in speed skating.
MAC centre owner Andy said: “Oliver is a great example of a young person who is benefiting from our centre. Since he started skating here it’s become his passion. He received specialised speed skates for his 8th birthday at the end of June and just keeps getting faster.
“We were badly affected in the recent heavy rain and are having to secure funding to get us back on track.
“A large area of our skate rink was flooded and we were forced to close whilst staff worked through the night to repair the damage.
“The skate counter and pool table was also badly damaged. Thanks to gener- ous donations we’ve been able to replace the pool table and the most badly damaged furniture.”
Andy hopes the centre will be successful in its bid for £10,000 from Cheshire East Council’s public health service community fund ( so that the floor can be replaced.
The centre is a community interest company which got going with the help of fundraising and grants.
The building work for new climbing facilities are back on track after a £15,000 grant from Macclesfield Town Council and sponsorship from Decipher Consulting.
Coun Chris Andrew, from Macclesfield Town Council, said: “Andy came to us in September with details of the work they’ve put in and the ambitious plans they have for the centre. The council was really impressed with his passion for this excellent facility for the town and, following careful consideration, I am delighted to say the council agreed to fund the project.”