The new owners of the former Youth & Community Centre on The Green – which has lain empty and disused for over four years – have revealed how they plan to bulldoze it and erect more modern facilities in its place.
As we’ve previously reported, Ruddington Parish Council (RPC) bought the building from Nottinghamshire County Council in 2019. Their planned public consultation on its future was delayed by the Coronavirus outbreak. Meantime, the onsite parking there has been made available to village traders in order to free up visitor spaces nearer the shops. Later in 2020 a working group was set up by RPC and carried out the postponed Open Survey during November and December for Ruddington residents to voice our opinions on core aspects of the ‘new’ Community Centre.
With 475 respondents to the consultation, the group has revealed its findings. It says several key themes emerged:
- Requirement for a large, multipurpose building including large hall, meeting spaces and kitchen facilities
- Building to be available to hire during Weekdays but primarily Weekends and Week Evenings
- Having a flexible space for groups ranging from Children to Senior Citizens, with many highlighting the specific need for accommodating Youth Services or activities for Young People
- Maximising available car park spaces and bike storage facilities
Although the current building was a favourite haunt for generations of Ruddington youngsters, it is now in a rather sorry state. Cllr Holly Law, says: “With the need to meet these key themes and considering the current condition of the old Youth & Community Centre, the decision has been made to demolish the existing building and to build a new, modern community centre that fits the needs of our growing village.”
As can be seen from the aerial shot above {courtesy of GoogleMaps} the current single storey building has a perhaps surprising amount of land around it – with the proposed new, more energy efficient replacement set to make better use of the space available, including upstairs rooms. The working group has been joined by local architect, Chris Marriott, who has also provided his time on a voluntary basis to the project. Preliminary plans for RPC’s new facility include:
- On the inside: both a large and smaller hall, two floors of flexible space for meetings, offices and kitchen/ hygiene facilities
- On the outside: car parking, bike storage and garden
Whilst preliminary plans have already been drawn up, the group has declined to share these images in advance of the next public consultation since they are not yet finalised. However, Holly continues: “The working group is confident that the plans provide a much improved, flexible space which all sectors of our community could access and benefit from.”
Once completed, proposed plans and designs will be put forward for another village consultation, inviting comments and feedback from interested parties. Further details of the plans, and the next consultation dates will be published here at RUDDINGTON.info once made available by the Parish Council.
In addition to the upcoming consultation, RPC’s working group is now focusing on obtaining costs for the demolition of the existing building and projected build of the new centre: “Once these are obtained the focus will turn to generating funding for the project and finalising site plans” reveals Holly. “To help us with this next stage work, we urgently need the support of both an experienced, qualified accountant and an experienced building services manager. If any local residents have experience in either of these areas or have knowledge of fundraising and grant applications for large projects, and can spare a little time to advise our working group on a voluntary basis, we would love to hear from you.”
Please email Office@RuddingtonParishCouncil.gov.uk if you have these skills and are prepared to offer your help. And watch this space for further updates!
