The highly-anticipated Beggarwood Community Centre has been
officially handed over to members of Hatch Warren and Beggarwood Community Association.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety Cllr Simon Bound handed over the keys to the new facility to the chair of the association (HWBCA), Karen Coomber, and Father Michael Smith, chair of the Beggarwood Community Centre sub-committee of HWBCA, on Thursday 23 November with the contractor and community members in attendance.
The modern centre, which has been designed to blend in with the natural landscape at Beggarwood Park, will open to the public at a later date.
In addition to rooms for meetings, services and events for people of all ages, there is a community café. A full timetable of activities will be unveiled soon.
Local people can have their say on how the new centre will be run and will be able to book the new facility for activities or events such as birthday parties. Volunteers are being sought to help manage the centre, which will be run by the association on a daily basis.
The contemporary building has been constructed with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council funding of £760,000, received from developer’s contributions.
Cllr Bound said: “I am delighted to officially hand over the keys to this wonderful new community centre to local people and wish the association every success for the future. Local residents, from the very young to the elderly, will benefit greatly from the facility. A range of activities will be on offer and many types of events can be enjoyed in this delightful park setting.
“I would urge anybody who is interested in having their say on how the facility is managed to become a trustee or volunteer to help to ensure that the centre continues to prosper in the years ahead.”
For more information, or to volunteer as a trustee, contact Hatch Warren and Beggarwood Community Association on 01256 811262, email office@hatchwarren.org or visit http://www.hatchwarren.org/index.php/beggarwood-community-centre
