Major Investments Approved for Community Centre

At the Community Centre Committee meeting last night (Oct 2nd), the Committee agreed to a major programme of improvements to the Main Hall. These improvements consist of;

• A new ceiling with the ability to have varying illumination levels and improve insulation
• Electrically operated black-out blinds on the high side windows
• A system of flexible, up to date and easily controllable stage/Hall lighting
• Improvements to the safety and strength of the upper walkways

This will be the first comprehensive update to the Hall since it was built and is intended to provide a better range of facilities for a wider range of users. The cost of these, using both professional commercial companies and some community/volunteer effort, will be in the region of £32,000.

Vice Chair Sue Hardacre said "It has been immensely satisfying and occasionally quite humbling to see the income of the Centre increase regularly thanks to the continual support of the village. For example, on Friday the Family Film night added aver £500.00 to the bottom line. But however comforting it may be to see money in the bank, this is not what drives the Committee. Foremost in our minds has been the need to improve the facilities so that the Centre remains attractive to its customers and has a sustainable future."

The Committee recently applied for a grant to cover some of the work from the Garfield Weston Foundation. Though there has yet to be a decision from them, the Foundation has indicated that they have been overwhelmed with grant requests this year and that many may be turned down. The Committee always intended to match any grant with its own funds, so have decided to start planning for the work to minimise any delays. Should some grant funding be forthcoming, monies will be earmarked for the renovation of the stage itself.

The Committee will keep everyone informed of progress which they hope can be done with the minimum disruption to regular users.