2nd September 2010Steel Support Helps Save Corus Social Centre From Closure
Hundreds of regulars at the Corus Sports & Social Centre in Dormanstown, Redcar are celebrating since the popular club was saved from closure with the help of UK Steel Enterprise.
The Corus-subsidiary has provided £15,000 from its special Community Support Fund which has already backed a wide range of community projects in steel areas.
The Corus Sports & Social Centre, set up in 1972 by the then British Steel for employees, families and friends, was in real danger of closing after funds from a works Lottery were drastically reduced when workers were laid-off.
Nowadays, the Centre is open to the whole community, staging many sports and other events and making pitches and the hall available for hire. President Beryl Wilson, who worked at Corus for 37 years, and Chairman Arthur Stork, now 82, have both worked tirelessly for the Centre since 1973.
“This may not be a particularly big building but it is constantly used by children and adults of all ages and is such an important part of our local community,” said Beryl Wilson. “We have been funded or partially-supported by Corus over the years and have had the benefit of the proceeds from a works lottery ever since we opened.
“Two years ago we became a stand-alone business but when people were laid off recently and we lost half our works lottery income things became really difficult. We still had to maintain the building and pay the manageress and bar staff so we were really stretched.
“We were dangerously near closing when we went to see UK Steel Enterprise to see if they could help. It was such a huge relief when we were given the grant from the Community Support Fund as it has been a godsend and solved our cash flow problem.”
The Centre strives to keep prices down to make activities affordable for families, particularly if they are unemployed, and runs discos, children's activities, art, music and sporting events with a number of junior sports teams based there. More than 100 people go along every Saturday night to see different artists perform and there is also a snooker room, bingo and special evenings for pensioners.
“The Centre is run by very hard-working and dedicated volunteers,” said UKSE Regional Manager Simon Hamilton. “It is now an integral part of the local community and its closure would have been a huge loss to the area. We are delighted that our support has helped to keep it open for everyone to use and enjoy.”
Details of UK Steel Enterprise's support for business is available on 01642 777 777 and at http://www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk/. | 
