Braintree District Council has completed the construction of Witham’s new community centre, creating a modern, flexible space that will support residents..
Councillors and representatives from construction company SEH French and design consultancy Ingleton Wood marked the completion of the project with a tour of the new facility, located on Haygreen Road, on Friday 4 September.
The purpose-built community centre has been designed to serve as a hub for the local community. The facility includes a mixed-use hall, kitchen, bar area and changing rooms to support sports teams, including those playing official matches on the adjacent football pitch. It will also offer a welcoming venue for meetings, social clubs, recreational activities and a wide range of community events.
The site features 32 car parking spaces, including four accessible bays, as well as 14 secure bicycle lockers to encourage sustainable travel.
The £4 million project has been jointly funded through investment from Braintree District Council and developer contributions secured through the planning process. Of the total investment, £2.27 million has been provided by Braintree District Council, with a further £1.77 million coming from developer contributions.
Cllr Kevin Bowers, Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Performance and Deputy Leader at Braintree District Council, said: “The completion of Witham Community Centre marks an important milestone and represents a significant investment in the town’s future. The new facility will provide opportunities for people of all ages to come together, stay active and take part in community life. We are proud to have worked with our partners and the local community to deliver a high-quality facility that will benefit the town and its residents for many years to come.”
Stephen Brundell, Site Manager for SEH French, said: "We are delighted to hand over the keys to the new Witham Community Centre. The build has proved a great success, and we hope to see the centre become an important community asset for local people. We look forward to potential further opportunities to work with Braintree District Council and deliver more quality projects for the people of Essex."
Braintree District Council is now progressing the legal transfer of the community centre to Witham Town Council. Once complete, Witham Town Council will own and manage the facility on behalf of the local community.
Witham Town Council Mayor, Cllr Paul Heath, said: “We are pleased to be moving forward with the project and recognise the positive working relationship between all stakeholders involved. We look forward to delivering more projects together for the benefit of the people of Witham.”