New centre is welcomed by residents (From Ledbury Reporter)

New centre is welcomed by residents

2:00pm Monday 4th February 2013 in Ledbury

THERE were celebrations at one of Malvern’s biggest housing developments this week as a new state-of-the-art community centre was officially opened.

The new £800,000 facility at Malvern Vale, off Leigh Sinton Road, is being billed as a versatile community hub that will serve not just residents of the estate but also the wider community.

As well as two indoor halls the community centre features changing rooms for sport, a bar/ cafe area, a kitchen and a 50-space car park.

An outdoor grass area marked for football is due to be completed by the spring.

Tom James, chairman of Malvern Vale Residents’ Group, is delighted with the new facility.

“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,” he said.

And Coun Phil Grove, responsible for community and economic development at Malvern Hills District Council, called it a “fantastic facility”.

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

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

Malvern-based Festival Housing is another stakeholder in the centre and has a dedicated community development worker at Malvern Vale.

Head of housing Alan Moorhouse said: “With a very strong sense of community already developing, we are confident that the new centre will provide a great space for everybody to get together.”

The centre was built by local firm Speller Metcalfe and has been paid for through a planning agreement with developer Persimmon, which has also contributed £420,000 for ongoing maintenance.

The facility is owned by Malvern Hills District Council and is being managed by the YMCA.

Anyone interested in booking the centre can call 01684 592363.