Wokingham

An exciting new Wokingham community facility in place of the Rides Community Centre in Gorse Ride, Finchampstead has been proposed by Finchampstead Baptist Church, in partnership with Wokingham District Council and Finchampstead Parish Council. And while the proposals for the new centre are developing, the two councils would like to reassure current users of the existing facility that they will be able to continue their activities.

If the development is approved, the centre will be built by Finchampstead Baptist Church, on land owned by Wokingham District Council and currently occupied by the Rides Community Centre. The existing centre was run by the Rides Community Association and the Rides Sports and Social Club. The Sports and Social Club has entered into voluntary liquidation and is now winding down its activities. The Community Association have asked Finchampstead Parish Council and Wokingham District Council to take over the running of the existing community centre, and the two councils have made arrangements to ensure that the building will continue to be regularly cleaned and opened as normal to allow existing users the same access they have had in the past. All groups who currently use the centre will receive information about the changes, and about what will be done to ensure that any impact on their activities is minimised.

The Finchampstead Baptist Church is developing a proposal for a new facility on the site, in partnership with the two councils, and a planning application is expected in the near future. Strong support for the proposed development has been shown by a broad cross-section of the community of Finchampstead, including local schools, the local residents’ association, local police officers, the parish council and the local Neighbourhood Action Group. All members of the community will be able to express their views through the planning process.

Executive member for Wokingham community development Dianne King said: “This is an exciting proposal and I look forward to seeing the planning application when it is submitted. It is a great opportunity for the facilities for local people to be re-evaluated and improved.”

Wokingham District Council