Demolish or fix?: Town council’s £400,000 Diss Youth and Community Centre dilemma

Diss’ main community venue could be demolished as officials wrestle with various options in order to safeguard its long-term future.

Diss Youth and Community Centre has been closed since December, when a survey discovered the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the roof structure of the building.

With repairs estimated at £400,000, the Diss Express has learned that officials at Diss Town Council, which owns and manages the site in Shelfanger Road, are investigating a number of possibilities, including bulldozing the aging facility, which dates back to the 1970s.

“We are aware of the affinity that users and customers have with the building and are working diligently to find a solution,” council leader Simon Olander told the Express.

“The estimated costs associated with a replacement roof are eye-watering, given the specialist nature of removing the concrete and installing a temporary roof to keep the building watertight, before a new permanent roof can be built.”

The three options under consideration by the council include:

►Replacing the roof with a new structure

►Demolishing the building and constructing a more fit-for-purpose facility on the land

►Selling the entire site and building a facility elsewhere in Diss.

Despite being closed to users, the site is home to Park Radio on the ground floor and Diss Community Fridge Project, which operates out of the centre’s reception.

The town council has committed to carrying out an options appraisal to determine the best way forward.

“Understanding the requirements of existing and potential users and the demand for youth and community space will be key to the decision-making process,” said Cllr Olander.

“We want to ensure that any facility meets the needs of the town and the surrounding area in the long-term and is financially viable.”

With around £16 million being invested in the town, including a year-long refurbishment of Diss Leisure Centre and upgrades to the bus station opposite the John Grose site, the authority has pledged to work with South Norfolk Council to find a solution.

“Work will then be required to cost the proposals, consider return on investment and source appropriate funding,” added Cllr Olander.

“This is a complex decision, requiring significant investment, which we need to get right.

“Diss Town Council will be working with user groups and members of the community to ensure we get the best outcome for Diss taxpayers.”

The community centre is one of several buildings across the country to have used the lightweight form of concrete in its construction, which has subsequently been found to be susceptible to collapse, particularly when exposed to moisture.