AN ageing community centre – already operating more than 40 years beyond its expected lifespan – will benefit from a £500,000 makeover.

The Bullingdon Community Centre in Peat Moors, Headington, which is used by about 400 people and a wide range of groups each week, has been awarded the funding from Oxford City Council in its latest annual budget.

It is the only community centre serving the Lye Valley and Wood Farm area, and funds will be used for a complete refurbishment, focusing largely on the main hall, according to secretary Richard Bryant.

The funding comes after a survey in August revealed cracks in the walls and fears that it may have been forced to close if left unrepaired.

Mr Bryant said: "It is a big relief – we are absolutely delighted.

"It is an old pre-fabricated building and over the years it has witnessed a lot of wear and tear.

"More recently cracks have begun to appear – it needs a major refurbishment and a rebuild."

A surveyor inspected the building last year and, given its ageing state, the association pressed the city council for funding to ensure it would be able to stay open for future generations.

Mr Bryant added: "If we hadn't got this fixed the chances are it would have had to close."

Speaking of the details behind the planned refurbishment he said discussions would be taking place regarding the proposals and that public feedback was welcome.

He added that he hoped work would get under way by June next year.

He said: "We mainly want to replace the existing hall but there are a lot of other renovations that need to be done in the community centre as well – we have a wish list of what we want to happen."

City councillor for Lye Valley Pat Kennedy also welcomed the funding boost and said it would ensure the centre has a future.

She said: "This is really very important because that part of Wood Farm and Lye Valley really has no community space at all.

"It was one that was built in 1948 so it is quite old and really needs to be refurbished.

"It only had an expected life time of 25 years back then so it has done quite well really."

She added that she hoped the money would be put towards not only refurbishing the main hall but also to allow for possible expansion in the future.