£800,000 community centre opens its doors (From Malvern Gazette)

£800,000 community centre opens its doors in Malvern

7:10pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in News By Neil Watts

A NEW community centre on the Malvern Vale housing development has been opened.

The centre, which is owned by Malvern Hills District Council and managed by the YMCA, cost about £800,000 to build.

Money was raised through funding attached to the whole development of the North Site area, with developers Persimmon Homes contributing a further £420,000 for on-going maintenance.

Councillor Phil Grove, the district council’s portfolio holder for community and economic development, said: “This is a fantastic facility which has come about through excellent partnership working and it’s been a pleasure working with our partners on such an exciting project.

“The centre is really versatile and will be able to serve as a hub for the whole community.

“Two events held already showed that residents and people from the neighbouring area are thrilled to have that sort of facility on their doorstep.”

Tom James, chairman of the Malvern Vale Residents’ Group, said: “I think the community centre will be a key feature for the whole of Malvern Vale and I am looking forward to many activities being held there for the whole community in the near future.”

Richard Oldroyd, managing director at Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the new centre and feel it will provide a functional resource that will benefit our customers at our Malvern Vale developments, and the local community.”

It features two indoor multi-functional halls, changing rooms for sport, a bar/café area, kitchen and a 50 space car park, while an outdoor area marked for football will be ready in the spring.

The centre will be open seven days a week and is available for hire by individuals or community groups.

For more information, call manager James Williams on 01684 592363.