MP tries out new community facilities in Chorley
Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle has given the new community centre at Buckshaw Village his seal of approval.
He was invited to tour the centre in Unity Place by developers Redrow Homes and Barratt Homes. While there, Lindsay decided to put the facilities to the test.
Lindsay challenged representatives of both developers and community centre management company RMG to a game of basketball in the hall, which is marked out for a variety of indoor sports. They also enjoyed a game of table tennis, plus an impromptu sing-a-long on the stage!
Lindsay Hoyle MP said later: “I have been involved with Buckshaw Village since I was a Councillor on Chorley Borough Council and it’s great to see the whole project coming to fruition as the Member of Parliament for Chorley.
“The community centre is already becoming a point of focus for the residents of Buckshaw – the residents’ association meetings always get an excellent turnout. Plus there is a huge variety of activities on offer here, from parent and toddler groups to yoga – there is no doubt that the centre will be a real community asset.
“It’s an exciting time for Buckshaw with a number of projects coming online at the moment – the community centre, Buckshaw Trinity School, the new Tesco store and we know the train station should be operational within the year. I think the future is very bright for Buckshaw Village.”
Speaking on behalf of the Redrow / Barratt consortium responsible for redeveloping the former Royal Ordnance Factory site, near Chorley, Tony Stevens, said: “A wide variety of community groups including mothers and toddlers, after schools clubs, yoga lessons, karate classes and slimming groups have been making good use of the centre and it was with great pleasure that we were able to demonstrate to Lindsay what a valuable amenity it has already become to the local community.”
The centre is one of a number of facilities being provided by Redrow and Barratt at Buckshaw Village, as part of the agreement negotiated with Chorley Council when planning permission was granted.
The developers invested approximately £525,000 in the building and a further £25,000 in landscaping, a car park and equipment.
Justin Herbert, operations director at RMG said: “The community centre has really become a focal point for the community and is really in demand with an ever expanding range of classes and activities taking place. The active involvement by the Buckshaw Village Community Association has been key in bringing the community together as the centre for events including the popular farmers market to Halloween event enjoyed by both children and adults alike.”
The community centre will be the venue for the sell-out pantomime and Christmas celebration organised by the Buckshaw Village Community Association taking place on December 5.
For details of events taking place at the community centre or to log a booking request, see: buckshaw.org
