OXFORD City Council looks set to take over the running of an ailing community centre in Cowley after its management association was plunged into financial chaos.

The council is being asked to grant £46,307 to keep Cowley Community Centre, in Barns Road, up and running until April while a £20,000 options appraisal is carried out on its future.

Users of the centre, which has been under threat since the attached social club and bar ceased trading in March with debts of £100,000, said this offered a golden opportunity to vastly improve the facility.

Groups which use the centre include the Word Fountain Christian Ministries, Mental Health Project Acorn, a community radio station, the Credit Union service, a youth group and Cowley Residents' Association.

Pastor Dupe Adefala, of Word Fountain Christian Ministries, which is based at the centre and meets there at least twice a week, said: "We have put forward a proposal on how to use it. We believe it should be refurbished, but it should still be retained as a community centre for the use of the people around and made available 24/7 if possible."

A report to the council's Cowley area committee revealed that more than a quarter of a million pounds would need to be spent on the club to bring it "anywhere near a decent standard" - and a further £200,000 to make improvements to the ballroom and bar area.

Cowley Community Association, which has been in charge of the centre, has asked the council to take over the centre from August 31 as its funds have depleted to £1,691.

Options for the centre's future include paying for the refurbishment, knocking it down and selling the site for houses, and turning it into a "one-stop shop" for council services.

Bryan Keen, who is chairman of the area committee and is also secretary of the Cowley Residents' Association which meets there, said: "The part of the site which is not being used could be developed for flats and houses and we could build new community facilities on the other part of the site.

"I think refurbishment of the centre is really out of the question. The sensible approach will be to redevelop the site with community facilities, plus housing.

"To spend nearly half a million on refurbishment of the building is just a waste of money."

Recommendations for the council to take over the centre are due to be considered by the executive board meeting next Monday.