01 Aug @Tendring_DC Chairman opens new community centre
A newly-opened community centre in Clacton which is already home to a number of groups and activities has been officially opened.
Tendring District Council (TDC) Chairman Jayne Chapmen went along to cut the ribbon and have a tour of the Albert Edward Hall.
Dance classes, bingo, a youth club and a mother and toddler group are among the groups using the building, and a café is also operating when activities are operating.
The single-storey site in Legerton Drive has just over 500 square metres of floor space, contains a large hall and small hall, meeting room, kitchen, store rooms, toilets and outdoor play area.
It has been named after Clacton’s first ever lifeboat and was built by Bloor Homes as part of its Blenheim Gate development.
The centre was recently handed over to TDC, which has leased the building to a newly-formed charity, the Albert Edward Hall Community Centre.
Cllr Chapman said it was a building to be proud of and she was pleased to be asked to carry out the ceremony.
“It is a fantastic facility for the community and is already being well-used,” she said. “I am sure that other organisations will want to make use of it and it will benefit so many people.”
The Albert Edward Hall Community Centre charity was set up by Philip Clark, who has been involved with the project to bring a community centre to the area for the past three years.
He has raised over £55,000 to equip the building and has recruited a group of local volunteers to help run it.
Mr Clark added: “The ultimate ambition is to have it open seven days a week but that very much depends on recruiting more volunteers.
“The keys were handed over a few weeks ago and we are delighted that Cllr Chapman performed the official opening.”
A large number of residents also turned out for the event.
