Hadden Forges ahead with new Community Centre

Following a successful competitive tender process, Hadden Construction are pleased to have been appointed to deliver the new £1.8m Community Hub for Forgewood Housing Co-Operative. The project, made possible by a £1m Big Lottery Fund grant, sees the demolition of the current Forgewood Community Centre and construction of a replacement community hub facility on the site. The existing centre has fallen into disrepair and is no longer viable practically, environmentally or economically. The new centre brings together several community resources within a single location in an inclusive and sustainable modern building. A multi-use main hall and areas for local youth groups, adult learning, IT and a small community café will form the ground floor, with the design focused on the flexibility and integration of the spaces. Forgewood Housing co-operative will become an anchor tenant on the first floor of the building which will also house shared meeting rooms and office space for use within the community. The new centre will provide a much needed community asset for Forgewood which will be able to be fully utilised and enjoyed by all in the local area.

Forgewood Housing Co-Operative have been liaising with key partners and local groups to ensure that the new centre will deliver vital services including skills development, welfare and money advice and health services. A wide range of social and recreational activities will also be run from the hub including a parent and toddlers group and an older people’s lunch club

John Mulholland, Director of the Forgewood Housing Co-operative, said, “This project is about bringing the community together to enjoy recreational and social activity in a building and environment which they can be proud of. The new centre will also be a hub for service provision to the local community. Services provided from the new building will include housing advice, health advice and assistance, money and welfare advice and wider social benefits. This building will bring about real positive change for the community of Forgewood.”

Image courtesy of Grant/Murray Architects