A community centre in Stourport has been transformed into a lively hub hosting a range of activities thanks to a government grant.
Stourport Town Council took on the centre which is located in the Memorial Park in 2022 and wanted to breathe new life into the facility.
The grant funding has enabled them to make improvements to the building so it can cater for more people.
It is now home to a wide variety of weekly activities ranging from marching band practice, sugar craft and a youth club to a mothers and toddlers’ group and health and fitness classes.
Sue Saunders, clerk of Stourport Town Council, said: "The Town Council decided to take the management of the centre in-house with the objective of making it attractive and accessible for everyone in the community.
"Before we could make this happen, we wanted to make some improvements, inside and out. The building structure itself was sound, but it needed specific updates to meet the needs of a wide range of users.
"We drew up a makeover programme to provide a new clean, modern kitchen, a large open general space with storage for all sorts of community activity equipment, a new front door and external security on all the windows."
Over the next few months, they gathered quotes from local companies, awarded the contract and helped bring the vision to life.
Ms Saunders added: "It’s great to see the space now being used to its full potential. Bookings are up by 80 per cent since the refurbishment which is great news for the community and the sustainability of the centre.
"The materials and furniture we used for the improvements mean that the centre is easy to look after with the regular users having space to store their equipment.
"The kitchen is now bright and welcoming and has lots of cupboard space, and the large central space is ideal for small or larger events and is a "go to" venue for children’s parties. To make the building more safe and secure, we fitted robust roller shutters on all the windows and a new sturdy front door."
Janis Andrzejewski teaches senior fitness at Stourport Community Centre. She started her ‘Move it or lose it’ fitness and Chair Yoga classes in January of this year.
She said: "The centre is in a great location on the edge of the Memorial Park, making it very accessible to not only the immediate area but also the areas surrounding it as it has a large easily accessible car park, which is ideal for my clients as some of them have mobility issues.
"Inside is spacious and comfortable with ample light and a very efficient heating system for the winter, which is essential for my clients."
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, planning and the green agenda added: "It’s great to see the improvements at the Community Centre supported through government funding.
"It is a valued community asset and will no doubt host many events for years to come."
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