Over ten years since plans were first put forward for a multi-faith centre with community and sports facilities, Aspiring Communities are inviting the community to visit the completed centre.
The Faizan E Medina Islamic Learning and Community Centre on Barkly Road in Beeston will open its doors on Saturday (18 January 2025) between 12-3pm. This will be a chance to tour the centre, meet the team and enjoy refreshments.
A spokesperson for Aspiring Communities said:
“We are pleased to announce the launch of a tea & coffee morning for the elderly, starting on 8 February. Following this, we plan to introduce a dedicated tea & coffee morning for ladies.
“Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of organising sessions for children with additional needs, as well as wrestling (British Wrestling affiliated). We look forward to providing these opportunities to our community and will share further updates soon.”
An earlier opening event just before Christmas, attended by councillors and the police, caused controversy when it was not publicised to the local community. The group later apologised for the error.
The controversial development on the site of the former Ice Pak factory was the subject of two planning applications and a public planning inquiry before permission was granted in June 2017.
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
First event “forgot” the local community, then re-arranged to happen at the same time as a Leeds United home game with it’s associated traffic problems.
Not exactly off to a winning start
This is wonderful. I got an invite and i live local, not sure why people keep complaining, there are always going to be barriers on a day to day, people need to get on with their own lives.
I managed to attend, i think it was a positive experience overall. Looks like the organisation is volunteer lead. So mistakes happen and to organise another day was a nice gesture.
I know it is a positive change compared to the abandoned factory and now we have a ginnel that isn’t full of rubbish, drugs or litter, now they have been cleaning it for the community.