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Centre keys handed over to local community |
The end of building work at the new Whitchurch community centre and library was celebrated when the keys were officially handed over on Friday 23rd March.
Builders Wilding Butler presented the keys to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which has overseen the complex construction of the new building, designed to fit with the neighbouring listed Silk Mill.
The borough council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Services Cllr Elaine Still then presented the keys to the Whitchurch Association, which will manage the community hall, and Hampshire County Council, which is now starting work fitting out the library.
The building will be officially named The Gill Nethercott Community Centre in honour of the long serving local councillor who died last year. Cllr Nethercott championed the campaign to bring new facilities to Whitchurch for over ten years.
The borough council and Hampshire County Council have worked in partnership to give local people a new facility which consists of a library and a large meeting hall suitable for community activities such as youth clubs, toddlers’ groups and social activities. Of a total investment of £910,000, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has contributed £585,000 with additional funding from Hampshire County Council of £325,000 for the library.
Cllr Still said: “It is great to see that the community centre and library is finally being handed over to the community. This is a much needed facility in Whitchurch and it will be a great asset. I look forward to this building being a real hub for the Whitchurch community where local people can have fun, socialise and make use of these excellent library facilities.
"I wish Whitchurch Association and Hampshire County Council every success for the future in the centre."
Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage Cllr Margaret Snaith said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to work with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to develop the community centre and library in Whitchurch.
“The library was a much needed development as we had previously had a temporary building elsewhere in Whitchurch. This new centre will give all residents in Whitchurch a great place to go to learn and have fun.”
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