Wokingham

Residents in Finchampstead could soon be a step-closer to seeing a brand new, purpose-built community and sports hall, coffee bar, crèche and youth loft if Wokingham District Council agrees proposals going before its decision-making executive on Thursday September 28.

The Wokingham executive is set to consider proposals to work alongside Finchampstead Baptist Church and Finchampstead Parish Council to develop a new community centre on council-owned land at Gorse Rise, Finchampstead (currently occupied by the Rides Community Association building). The proposals being put forward for the development include:

* A sports hall that would provide full facilities for a range of indoor sports and that would double as a large meeting/function room. On Sundays the hall would be used by the Baptist Church as their place of worship
* A coffee bar or café
* A crèche
* Office and meeting room space
* A youth loft, offering space and facilities for work with the area’s young people

The proposal could also see a separate sports pavilion being built to provide changing facilities for the existing football pitches and a room for post-match refreshments or other community purposes. The site may also include a ‘multi-use games area’, if funding can be secured through the Football Foundation, or other external funding bodies.

And Wokingham council is exploring the possibility of using the proposed new facility to host part of a multi-agency children’s centre, as well as a library – all subject to funding being available.

The council has been working closely with local bodies to gauge the level of support for the proposals. Finchampstead Parish Council has already formally supported the proposal, in addition to widespread support from the local community including the Neighbourhood Action Group, Gorse Ride Residents’ Association, local schools and a number of users of the existing community hall. The Residents’ Association carried out a survey of local people and, of 300 people asked, 94 per cent expressed their support for the proposed new facility.

The council is also hopeful that the proposals will go-ahead with the support of the Rides Community Association. Officers will continue to consult with the Association as the proposals for new community and sports facilities move forward.

Executive member for corporate services Wokingham Cllr Rob Stanton said: “Should the executive agree to the proposals, all parties involved will have a firm foundation for moving this exciting project forward.

“I look forward to working further with both the parish council and the Baptist Church, as well as the Gorse Ride and wider Finchampstead community.”

Should they proceed, all proposals will be subject to the usual planning process, and the planning consultation process will offer residents the normal opportunity to comment.

Wokingham District Council