Sons of Rest welcome youth centre move

Pensioners from Sandwell's Sons of Rest clubs have welcomed a move which could see the buildings used as youth centres.

Tony Mallam, aged 71, who is secretary of Wednesbury Sons of Rest, said he would be happy to work with the council to bring more people into the clubs.

Last year the buildings looked set for demolition after council officers decided they were not used enough to warrant the cost needed for repair work. During some visits as few as five people were using the facilities. But after a massive public appeal to keep them open, the pensioners' clubs won a reprieve and the organisers have since been working hard to boost their membership numbers.

Mr Mallam, of Vicarage Road, said: "We want the buildings to be used as much as possible.

"I think this is excellent news because as we all know with these buildings, we use them or lose them. We have wonderful buildings so as long as this doesn't interfere with the Sons of Rest then I welcome it.

"We will be happy to meet with council officers to discuss it, the buildings are owned by the council and paid for by the council and there are times when we are not here using them." The move is part of a multi-million pound project to improve youth facilities around the borough and stamp out anti-social behaviour. On Wednesday Sandwell Council's cabinet backed plans to use Windmill Community Centre in Smethwick and Jubilee Park Community Centre in Tipton as Integrated Youth Centres.

The council has access to more than £2 million in grants between now and 2011 to develop similar centres.

Sandwell Council leader Bill Thomas said there were "potential conflicts of interests" when it comes to elderly and young people existing side by side, but facilities would be used at different times.