A CHURCH centre in Poole, which needs a six figure sum spent on it, is to be sold by its owner.

The Parochial Church Council of St John’s, Broadstone has decided to put the Waterloo Christian Centre in Milne Road on the market.

It says the centre, “no longer fits in with its strategy for the future”.

The site was originally bought by St John’s in the 1950s when the vicar, Canon George David Archer had a vision to provide a meeting place on the Waterloo Estate.

The original building was replaced by the current building in 1994 and a partnership formed between the C of E, Methodists, United Reformed Church and Waterloo Christian Fellowship. This ended in 2012.

“This has left St John’s Church in the position of owning a site that it no longer requires to carry out its ministry,” said Canon Nigel Lloyd, vicar of St John’s.

“A six figure sum is required to repair and renovate the building, and spending such a large sum on a building whose original purpose has disappeared is not a wise use of money,” he said.

“Selling the site will enable us to focus our attention on St John’s by further developing its mission and ministry.

“The centre will close at the end of June. Regretfully, this means we can no longer provide premises for the Waterloo Christian Fellowship at a rent much lower than the market value, as we have done for many years.

“We have offered the Fellowship hospitality at St John’s, until they have made a decision as to how and where they will continue their ministry on the estate,” he said.

“This is a decision we made with some regret, but with confidence that it reflects the best way of taking the Christian gospel forward in Waterloo and Broadstone.”