Hayling Island Community Centre is celebrating after being awarded almost half a million pounds through the Reaching Community Buildings Big Lottery Grant Fund. The application process has been lengthy and very detailed, taking almost two years in total.
The existing Community Centre is running at full capacity and desperately needs new space to meet demand for additional services and facilities required on the Island for residents.
This means that the Community Centre will be able to build a much needed extension in order to expand and develop to meet the needs of the Community.
The extension will contain a café area downstairs, with lift and stairs to the first floor where there will be a large space with acoustic room dividers which will allow the space to become one, two or three smaller rooms as required.
The Centre has had to commit to raising their share as well, and thanks to the very generous support of local residents and business, they raised a staggering £90,000 so far. Some of this is from fund-raising events such as quiz nights, table top sales, concerts and coach trips. There have been some wonderful donations and more recently an anonymous donation of £7000. The Centre has also been running a "Buy a Brick" scheme too. This is an exciting way to help raise money and allow supporters to be part of creating the new facilities. Each brick is £10 and the donor will receive a certificate and name entered on the role of honour after the completion of the project which will remain there with your name on it for generations to come.