This building has been designed by local award-winning architect, residents and user groups
Within the footprint of the present centre, the capacity of the building is increased from 120 to 230 persons.
The Main Hall capacity is increased from 100 to 150. This will make it attractive for wedding parties and for other major events. It will also allow all three WIs to invite more people to join from their waiting lists.
Additional rooms of varying sizes provide private, secure spaces for a variety of activities to take place at the same time, and where different group sizes can be accommodated according to their needs.
A room for up to 40 people with an en-suite toilet for vulnerable adults and children.
There are two rooms upstairs for smaller groups, one for 12 and one for 28 people.
All rooms, upstairs and downstairs, are fully accessible and have storage, kitchen facilities and accessible toilets.
More letting rooms of various sizes provides the opportunity for an income that will secure the future of the building.
The survey for storage requirements ensures that every room has capacity to store its own equipment and user needs
Secure safe areas for vulnerable adults and children are integral to the design. Access to the Centre can be monitored. A children's play area can be separated from the enclosed rear garden, while the front garden is also enclosed and gated.
Materials used will provide heating, insulation and sound proofing either to meet or exceed the current building regulations – and will be a great improvement over the current building.
The design includes a Changing Space which will be available on a 24 basis with a disability key. This will be the only one to serve residents and visitor to the popular seaside recreation area around Stokes Bay.
There will be 26 parking spaces, plus 3 disabled spaces, with the option of using the adjoining green for large events.
There is a well-designed office for the Parish Administration team, and a quiet room for counselling by the Pastoral team.
Sustainable and eco–friendly materials will be used where possible to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible, and to maximise the green credentials of the building. As a minimum the building will be rated 'very good' on the Breeam building standards scale, but the final rating may exceed this level.
The new centre with have 12 toilets, including three that are accessible for disabled users, one of which will have parent and baby facilities.
No other site in the area can provide a Hall with the same capacity, with an integral kitchen and adjacent secure garden.
