Work has started on the project that will see Wrecclesham Community Centre in Greenfield Road receive a £150,000 facelift.
Successful applications for funding by Farnham Town Council and the Wrecclesham Community Centre trustees have made it possible to carry out the much-needed refurbishment. The building will receive a new, more attractive pitched roof, an extension to the main hall which will improve storage facilities and new flooring. The work will bring the building up to modern day standards and will meet the needs of the people who wish to use the centre.
Councillor John Ward, spokesman for Farnham Town Council says: “The community centre has always been a focal point for social, educational and training activities but its leaking roof and poor facilities meant groups were choosing to go elsewhere. To address this and to encourage new bookings and community groups to use the centre, Farnham Town Council has worked with the centre’s management trust to come up with a two phase refurbishment plan that will meet the needs of people who wish to use the centre. I would like to thank the trustees for their ongoing patience and commitment to the centre.”
The project to redevelop and refurbish the centre began in the summer of 2013 with the transformation of the 1960s toilet facilities. This was funded using developer contributions which are allocated by Waverley Borough Council. Before being able to proceed to phase two of the project, additional funding needed to be secured.
Councillor Ward explains: “To continue with the project to improve Wrecclesham Community Centre we needed to raise over £100,000. Possible sources of funding were researched and applications submitted. I am delighted that after an anxious wait, we received the news that we had been successful in securing grants from three funders to supplement the funding committed by the Town Council.”
The project has been supported by £60,000 from The Sita Trust, £43,380 from Veolia Environmental Trust and £30,000 from Surrey County Council.
Weather permitting, the work should be completed by Easter. Anybody interested in booking the centre can contact the centre manager on 01252 726779.
