An overgrown muddy field is usually not the best place to hold a celebration.
But for representatives from the Rooksdown Community Association, the recreation ground off Park Prewett Road opposite Hobbs Court symbolised six years of campaigning and hard work.
On February 4 the diggers rolled in to start work on the Rooksdown Community Centre.
Community association treasurer, Jayne Lewis-Grey, said: “It is exciting that work is finally starting, we as a community deserve it. We have worked so hard and we have so many things planned for the centre.
“We have caused a lot of stress for a lot of people over the last few years, such as the borough council, the mayor and developers. We have had to put in a lot of pressure to get this for everybody in Rooksdown.”
Planning permission for the development was granted in February last year as part of the 1,250 home development scheme in Rooksdown.
The £1.2m centre is funded by £937,500 of developer contributions. The community association will run the centre and will be a base for all community run events.
Building work is scheduled for completion in October 2011. Lakehouse is the construction company carrying out the building work.
The centre was designed by Oxford Architects, who drew up plans in consultation with the community association and parish council.
When finished, the new centre will have a reception area, meeting room, large hall, youth wing, kitchen and office. Eco-friendly features include a ground source heat pump that uses natural heat to slash energy bills and a natural air ventilation system.
The borough council’s cabinet member for communities, sport and leisure, Clive Sanders, said: “We know that for local residents this centre has been a long time coming and we have done all we can to try to speed up the process.
“It is great to see the diggers finally on site. I hope that lots of residents will get involved when it opens and make this a well-used hub of the community.”
Chairwoman of the Rooksdown Community Association, Debbie Adlam said she is happy to be able to hold community events under a roof.
She said: “For years we have provided activities and events on the Mill Road green. This has obviously depended on the weather and limited what we can achieve.
“We are extremely excited about what we will be able to offer the residents of Rooksdown and encourage them to contact us so they can be involved in the future of the centre.”
