Signed: £3 million community centre to be built in Shinfield
SHINFIELD residents will soon see a £3 million investment in their neighbourhood, with a new community centre.
Last Thursday, the chair of Shinfield Parish Council signed the contract to build a large, modern centre, expanding from the current site
With financial help from the University of Reading, the parish and borough councils bought the old British Legion next door.
This will now be demolished, with the new centre built over both sites.
Parish council chair, Andrew Grimes told
Wokingham.Today: “The project is funded by Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money from developer contributions.
“This centre is the first payback residents have for all the development in Shinfield.”
The plan has been five years in the making, but should be completed by August next year.
The new centre will host multiple meeting halls and club rooms, as well as a library, cafe and a children's centre.
“It’s taken a long time, but we’re pleased to now be building this,” added Cllr Grimes.
“It’s good to drive money into the community facility, and it’ll be the best utilisation of School Green.”
Tom Coward, director of AOC Architecture, who designed the new centre, said: “We have greatly enjoyed developing our competition-winning design with local residents, Shinfield Parish Council and Wokingham Borough Council to make a building that is particular to their needs.
“The careful integration of essential services — library, childcare and health — into the community centre creates a building that is useful, valuable and joyful.”
Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure services at the borough council, said: “The new community centre was conceived some five years ago and this is a historic moment, as the contractwas signed to commence building in three weeks’ time.
“The project reflects the strong collaboration between Wokingham Borough Council and Shinfield Parish Council to provide an excellent community centre for the residents of Shinfield North and South to enjoy.”
And Mark Redfearn, head of localities for Wokingham Borough Council, added: “It is wonderful to be working so closely with Shinfield Parish Council to deliver this essential infrastructure for the new communities that we are creating.
“I’m certain this iconic new community centre will be used for a wide variety of activities and events by local residents for a long time to come.”
And on Monday, Shinfield Parish Council approved the replacement of the Spencers Wood Pavilion with a new £700,000 building for preschool, voluntary activities, clubs and societies.