A MUCH-needed new community centre has finally been given the green light in Warwick after two decades wait.
Members of Warwick District Council unanimously backed a plan for a new community building on the Packmores estate over 20 years after the area was identified as needing support.
Local volunteers from the Priory Area Committee currently run a small centre that helps people on the estate and residents in the surrounding area. But there is simply not enough space for the 1,000 homes it serves, especially as community need has grown as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
Mandy Burford, treasurer of PAC, explained: “Out of our small centre we are serving an area containing around 1,000 homes but barely has room for seven people to sit down.
Despite this, a group of us are delivering services like our Packmores Pantry. With the cost of living crisis, there is an urgent need for a bigger space, and I am delighted the council has taken on this project.”
Town councillor and PAC chair, Simon Pargeter continued: “I want to thank Warwick District Council, and particularly my fellow councillors Jim Sinnott, John Holland and Dave Skinner for supporting the bid for a new centre. It has been a long time coming, but this is an important first step in providing the support our community deserves. It will be a place to gather to celebrate as well as improve health and combat loneliness.”
WDC has now signed off the start of a project and put aside £25,000 to carry out exploratory survey work.
Coun Jim Sinnott added: “This hub is needed by a community who have done so much on their own and don’t just sit there and wait for things to happen. This centre will support social and health needs as well as providing access to local services, reduce isolation and promote wellbeing.”
