Community Centre Access
Initiative Overview
The Community Development Department encourages the public to make use of its Community Centres and Resource Centres for personal and community activities. Centres can be used for weddings, birthday parties, private classes, meetings, cultural group meetings, camps, recreational activities and more.
Terms & Conditions
Applications for the use of a Centre must be submitted in writing to the Community Development Department, 3 to 4 week’s prior to the event. (The application should include the purpose for the request, the duration of time requested, the days and times requested, and full contact information for the person making the request).
Groups/Individuals desirous of long-term Centre use (over 4 months) must submit the request in writing to the Chief Community Development Officer at least 6 (six) weeks before the proposed start date. This will allow the CDD to schedule interviews and discussion regarding programmes to be conducted within the Centres.
To avoid monopolization of Centre use, the maximum use for long-term users should be twice weekly or three times on a monthly basis.
Once approval has been granted, should renewal of contract be desired, the request for renewal should be sought at least four (4) weeks prior to the expiration of the existing agreement. Failure to do this may result in the space being reallocated.
Permission must be sought and received from the Department for the use of Centre for days other than those originally approved by the CDD. Where approval has been received for the use of a Centre for a specific activity, permission MUST be sought and received from the CDD for any additional activity even if related. This includes parties, concerts, etc. A request for additional days or times must be made separately (at least 4 weeks) in advance.
The CDD reserves the right to make changes in relation to long standing bookings already approved. When temporary (“one off”) use of a Centre is required and there is a long term arrangement in place, preference will be given to Departmental Programmes or other activities in the interest of the wider community. In such cases those with longstanding bookings will be notified in advance.
Groups that use the Centres seasonally for e.g. (meetings, sports) are required to notify the Department when their group goes on “break” for a particular time. Failure to do so could result in space being reallocated.
Approval for the use of a Centre is subject to the following conditions:
- Adequate provision must be made to have the Centre cleaned and garbage removed after use
- All bathrooms must be left tidy after use
- Groups/individuals will be liable for any damages or loss suffered as a result of their use of the Centre
- If required a certificate of Public liability insurance covering the period of use must be forwarded (at the latest) to the CDD by 4 pm three working days prior the event/activity.
- Adequate security measures must be taken whilst at the Centre.
- All groups conducting events at the Centres will be responsible for supplying their own toiletries, e.g., toilet paper, soap, garbage bags.
No food or drinks (including alcoholic beverages) are to be sold at the Centre except in the case of activities for which special permission has been requested and granted, and the relevant insurance coverage, health certificates, Police permission, COSCAP and liquor licence are obtained and submitted to the CDD by 4 pm (at the latest) three working days prior to the event.
Verbal or physical abuse of the Community Development Department’s staff on duty will not be tolerated.
Groups/Individuals are expected to co-operate fully at all times with the Centre Staff and other Officers of the Department.
Keys may only be collected form the Key Keeper with the permission of the Community Development Officer. The Keys must be returned promptly after the activity. No-one is permitted to have the keys to the Centre in their possession.
Failure to observe terms and conditions for the use of the Centre will result in the cancellation and withdrawal of permission for the use of the Centre or in a fee for repair of damage sustained.
Email Address
comdev.barbados@barbados.gov.bb
Available Locations
The Community Development Department manages over 30 community & resource centres across the island
