NOT everyone on Canvey wants the Paddocks Community Centre to be revamped.

A decision is set to be made by Castle Point Council on whether to rebuild or refurbish the community centre in Long Road and while campaigners will protest outside the council offices tomorrow others are backing a fresh start for the centre.

In a letter to the Echo, Ashley Wilks from Canvey, said the building has got to an age where refurbishment is no longer an effective option.

He said: “The Paddocks is underused.

“To decorate it and make it look better is not a sound business plan.

“How can you tell if people will come?

“The building is in a poor state and a lick of paint won’t fix it, it’s not fit for modern use.”

The building has been the centre of a longstanding debate, with more than 1,000 residents signing a petition to maintain the current building.

The Echo previously reported that Norman Smith, leader of the council said that protests will not change the committee’s decision.

Mr Wilks added: “If you look at some of the groups who use the hall, they are actually businesses.

“Is the council and taxpayers’ job to provide premises for them?

“Remember, income is not ring-fenced for the hall so this will not subsidise the hall directly.

“The actual community use in the hall is relatively small.

“So if a smaller hall is offered it is probably better to have that. Otherwise there could be no hall.”