£500,000 Grange Park Centre lottery cash
A MASSIVE boost has been given to plans to create a new community centre in Loughborough, with The Big Lottery Reaching Communities Buildings Fund awarding a £500,000 grant to the Grange Park Centre (GPC) charity.
Paul Gadd, GPC chair and trustee, said: “We are thrilled to be awarded the grant by the Big Lottery after many years of hard work.
“This will provide the foundation for a fantastic community-focused space at the heart of Loughborough South and provide opportunities to impact present and future generations.”
The project has been supported by Charnwood Borough Council, local councillors and Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan.
She said: “This is a significant amount of money and demonstrates just how highly the Big Lottery rate the Grange Park Centre project.
“The whole GPC team have worked incredibly hard to get to this stage and I believe they will create a fabulous community hub for the whole Grange Park area.”
The original outline application for the Grange Park Estate was granted back in 2002 and detailed planning permission for the ‘Local Centre’ was granted in 2009. This included a health centre, place of worship, shops, and a community centre building, but these have not been built.
Bob Newnham, chair of Haddon Way Residents Association, said: “The housing estate has expanded rapidly but without the facilities that are needed to make it a cohesive community. The planned community centre will help facilitate the activities residents have been demanding for years.”
The GPC charity is working with the communities of Shelthorpe Ward - which includes Shelthorpe, Grange Park and Haddon Way - with the vision of creating a community centre as a shared space.
Feedback from consultation events and resident surveys has emphasised the need for a venue for exercise clubs, children’s groups, community activities, and adult learning.
Ingrid Cunningham, Shelthorpe Community Association member, added: “The centre will benefit all residents in the area.
“We are delighted to be part of the project team.”
The project has also been awarded a £10,000 Big Lottery ‘Awards for All’ grant to provide skill assessment and training along with a £20,000 Community Facilities Grant from Charnwood Borough Council last year.
Charnwood Borough Council unanimously approved the Grange Park Centre planning application at a meeting last month. The final design includes a main hall, three meeting rooms, a business hub with five rentable desks, and a 36-space car park.
The project team are now focusing on grant applications to secure the remaining funding needed, including the fixtures and fittings and a part-time centre manager for the first year.
The charity is keen for local residents to get involved with the project and make a difference for this and future generations. Find out more at www.grangeparkcentre.org. uk or email help@grangeparkcentre.org.uk
A spokesperson for The Big Lottery Fund said: “A range of activities will be held at the centre including a youth club, toddler group, dance and yoga classes, as well as life skill sessions such as money management, cooking and IT.
“Around 7,500 local residents are expected to benefit from the new centre, increasing community networks and reducing social isolation and loneliness.”