PLANS for a £3 million multi-cultural centre in Barnsley have stalled because of a lack of funding.
Barnsley Black and Ethnic Minority Initiative (BBEMI) has a firm offer of just £1 million - from Yorkshire Forward - leaving it an estimated £2 million short.
The BBEMI group has been trying for seven years to fund a centre, to be built on the Courthouse car park, which would be a focal point for ethnic minority communities in Barnsley.
Members had hoped to obtain funding from the National Lottery and Europe, through the Objective One scheme, but both sources are now unavailable.
BBEMI director Naeem Jarral said he believed the Lottery had shifted focus on to rural projects and away from urban schemes such as the centre.
Mr Jarral said the group could now be forced to resort to public fund-raising to achieve its goal. But he was determined to see it through.
He added: "It's not a question of money. Where there is a will there is a way. It's not a huge amount of money for a noble project like a multicultural centre in a modern town like Barnsley. Imagine the wealth of knowledge it will provide. The minority might play host but the indigenous population of Barnsley will benefit."
Mr Jarral, who is a Muslim community leader, launched the centre scheme after a mosque on Dodworth Road was burned down. It evolved from plans for a mosque into a multi-cultural centre for all ethnic minorities.
£3 Million, for supposedly a 2% minority…. Let’s watch this space as Barnsley MBC probably come to the rescue with more of your money….
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