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Our project addresses the need to completely renew the existing dilapidated facilities and to extend the accessibility of the facility to elderly and disabled members of the community.
This will enable our existing user groups to extend their reach into the community and to enable a greater number of people to take advantage of our facilities and the services offered by our user groups.
We will also be able to allow groups such as WI, VSO and Portsmouth Housing Association to hire the facility for their activities.
Both existing and new user groups will benefit from the improved facilities and this will help to increase the letting percentage of the facility.
The new improved facility will provide a more flexible space and improved free flow for all user groups. As well as improved indoor facilities our project will provide an improved outdoor environment which will encourage participation in healthy outdoor activities. The outdoor improvements will also lead to greater all year round use. Currently there are no other local community facilities that incorporate both an indoor and outdoor environment that is both safe and enclosed.
The need for the project is identified by recognising that the existing facilities have been used for 50 to 60 years and that without carrying out a planned replacement programme the buildings will soon cease to be usable. We have canvassed the views of all regular users who have confirmed their commitment to the centre. In addition, we have had a number of approaches from groups wishing to use our exisiting facilities but are unable to do so due to the restrictive and sub-standard nature of the current facility. We have identified the needs of these groups and have ensured that our plan addresses them so that once completed, the facility will be available for them to use. They have confirmed their need for the proposed facilities.
We are in the process of instigating the North West Fareham Strategic Partnership with St Columba Church of England Church, Oak Meadow School and Early Years Centre, Fareham Baptist Church and 1st Catisfield Scout Group in order to ensure that together we offer facilities required by the community for all age ranges and abilities.
We invited local members of the community and our neighbours to identify the level of support for the continued use and improvement of the site for community facilities. This meeting resulted in overwhelming support for the continued development and enhancement of the facility.
We have also consulted with our user groups to identify their interests and needs and have adapted the plans to address them.
We have also consulted the local council as a user group and as a planning authority in order to meet their needs and requirements for the facility.
We have sought advice from Fareham Community Action to assist with the consultation process.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us:
rebuild@1stcatisfieldscoutgroup.org.uk.
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