December 17, 2013 12.59 pm This story is over 123 months old

Community centre set for £270k rebuild after fire

The road to recovery: The team at Croft Street Community Centre are looking forward to a grand recovery following a destructive fire and series of burglaries.
Centre manager Caroline Boltz has been 'keeping calm' and is looking forward to a grand recovery. Photo: Emily Norton

After a fire ripped through the Croft Street Community Centre in Lincoln, more than half the hall and its contents were damaged beyond use.

Three months on since the blaze, staff at the centre announced that a grand-scale rebuild is set to begin on January 6 2014, after the damage got a £270,000 price tag by insurers.

Staff state that this figure does not include contents, and a large percentage of funds will still need to be raised in order to cover the costs not met by insurers.

Among the list of works to carry out, the most pressing job will be to secure a new roof; the remains of which have seen further damage in recent months due to weather conditions.

The building will also need new lighting and electrics, windows, doors, flooring, heating and a kitchen.

The building work is hoped to reach completion by June 2014, and the team are looking forward to hosting events from the centre as of then.

As previously reported, police suspect the blaze was due to arson, however no arrests or charges have yet been made.

Update: Three months after the fire at Croft Street Community Centre and further break-ins and weather conditions have worsened the state of the hall. Photo: Emily Norton

Update: Three months after the fire at Croft Street Community Centre and further break-ins and weather conditions have worsened the state of the hall. Photo: Emily Norton

Centre manager Caroline Boltz spoke to The Lincolnite about the number of fundraising events in the lead up to the rebuild.

“The National Citizen service came recently and raised over £100 at their event which was wonderful. We are also looking to host an Indian night soon so look out for that.

“The investment that we are working towards will only be covered in part by the insurers. We do still need to raise a substantial amount.

“We’ve got to start somewhere. So, on January 6, the skips will arrive and we can finally start stripping the place. The next main thing will be to put a cover on the roof.

“Another main priority of course will be updating to state of the art security.

“It will be absolutely brilliant to have it back. We feel like a Phoenix rising from the ashes and I can say that I definitely am keeping calm and carrying on!”

Anyone wishing to donate to the Community Centre can do so by sending a contribution to St Swithin’s Community Centre, Croft Street, Baggeholme Road, Lincoln, LN2 5AX.

Donations can be made by BACS to St. Swithins Community Centre, Croft Street, Nat West Bank, Lincoln Smiths Bank Branch, Sort Code 60-13-15 and account number 00874124.

Further break-in

On November 30, the building suffered a burglary whereby copper piping was stolen from the wreckage. The team are appealing to anyone with information to call Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting the incident number 169.

The centre suffered another break-in on November 30. Copper wiring and piping was stolen.

The centre suffered another break-in on November 30. Copper wiring and piping was stolen.