A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to breathe new life into a troubled community centre is to be considered by council chiefs.

Hambleton District Council's cabinet is meeting later this week to discuss the future of Northallerton Community Centre, which had been in jeopardy in recent months after the authority decided it was becoming too expensive to operate.

Councillors will be asked to choose from a series of options relating to the refurbishment of the existing centre in Bullamoor Road, as well as proposals to extend Hambleton Leisure Centre at Stone Cross.

A feasibility study, carried out recently, identified six different options, including a £3.3m scheme to provide a new arts centre, bowling hall and creche. However, this has been ruled out by council officials as too expensive.

Director of planning and environmental services, Steve Quartermain, said providing a new centre would be an attractive option, but warned that major costs would be involved.

He said: "A new facility which offers significantly improved facilities for existing users, while at the same time developing new areas of education, particularly in the promotion and support of the arts and culture, is one which the council could be justifiably proud of.

"The relocation of the Northallerton community centre would potentially see the site redeveloped in conjunction with the Friarage Hospital, where there is an urgent need of staff and related accommodation to be closer to the new hospital.

"A leased arrangement for accommodation on the old Northallerton community centre site would release capital from the sale of other properties in the health trust's ownership, which could be re-invested in improving facilities at the hospital."

Councillors will meet on Thursday to consider how to release funding to cover the cost of any improvements.

Only three options are thought to be affordable and council officers say money could be diverted from other schemes in the capital programme to finance the work.