We want your ideas for community centre (From Swindon Advertiser)

We want your ideas for community centre

1:40pm Tuesday 7th September 2010 in News By David Wiles

Swindon Council community development officer Ed Browne at the site of the new Pinetrees Community Centre

Pinehurst residents have the chance to get more involved in the plans to build a £1.8million community centre at The Circle.

Swindon Council is seeking suggestions of services and activities which could operate from the proposed Pinetrees Community Centre and is offering support to set up groups.

They also want to hear from volunteers interested in helping to run the facility, which would be built on the site of the former Pine Trees residential home.

Ed Browne, community development officer for Pinehurst, said: “I am looking for people to come to me with ideas of what they would like to be in the centre and to offer to help run the site.

“I want to hear from people with any ideas for groups, whether that be youth clubs, football teams, mother and toddler groups – anything really.

“There hasn’t been a community centre in Pinehurst since the People’s Centre was knocked down and I think it is important that people realise that this building is for the people of Pinehurst to use – and use how they want to.”

The proposed building replaces a community centre that was located on the site where the Swindon Academy now stands. A planning application has been submitted.

The two-storey centre would feature a library, NHS dentist, internet cafe and possibly a Citizens’ Advice Bureau. It would also have a main hall similar in size to a badminton court, three smaller function rooms, and a community garden.

Mr Browne is holding is holding drop-in sessions for potential volunteers and those with ideas at Pinehurst Library on Thursdays from 10am until noon.

So far he helped residents to establish a walking group, which will operate from the library until the new community centre is built.

He has also spoken to people interested in setting up a children’s arts and crafts group and a play scheme.

Contact Mr Browne by visiting the Pinehurst New Community Centre group on Facebook, calling 07769 281655 or emailing ebrowne@swindon.gov.uk.