THE TRUST which owns The Greig Centre in Alcester could go into liquidation if members do not hand over its assets within three months.
That was the stark warning issued by Coun Lynda Organ at a meeting of Stratford District Council’s ruling Cabinet this week.
It comes just six months after the authority stepped in to transfer the site from trustees following years of financial difficulties.
Back in March Stratford District Council agreed to take over ownership of the Hannah Susan Greig Memorial Hall and sports complex – saving it from the threat of going into administration.
It meant as well as running the leisure centre, the hall would also be owned by the district council, which Alcester Town Council was hoping to take over the running of in the future.
The Greig Centre’s financial problems have been ongoing for several years and this resulted in the closure of the Greig Hall in 2011 to keep the Lifestyles Building and squash courts open.
A previous attempt to sell the hall to build 31 homes and use the funds to redevelop the neighbouring sports centre collapsed after planning permission was refused.
The hall itself was then registered as a community asset, which gave resident groups and organisations the opportunity to own the property.
But despite agreeing to take over the site, the ownership is yet to be officially transferred to the district council.
Coun Organ confirmed everything was being done to ensure a smooth transfer but maintained the Greig Trust could be liquidated if the process was not completed in the coming months.
She said: “I was unaware the process to transfer the Greig Centre from the trustees to the district council would be so painfully slow.
“Although much work has already taken place, there are still some outstanding items and once these are resolved the asset may be transferred and the Greig Trust dissolved.
“If the transfer is not achieved, the only course of action open to the council is to liquidate the Greig Trust.
“This route has not been a preferred option because of the disruption it would cause to the leisure facilities serving the residents of Alcester and the surrounding villages.”
