Background
Wistaston Memorial Hall and Community Centre adds immeasurably to the quality of life in Wistaston. This important local facility is managed by a committee of trustees of the Wistaston Memorial Hall and Community Centre charity under a governing document dated 1947. As the facilities are provided for public benefit the trustees feel it is important that people understand what is planned for the future, including a rebuild of the existing building. Taking no action is not an option as the life span of the existing building is not indefinite. We have had a local structural surveyor complete a survey of the building and the conclusion is that refurbishing is not likely to be financially viable given the age, design layout and the costs which will be incurred.
At the Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre AGM held on 31st March 2022, the Trustees’ Annual Report including a proposal to rebuild the Hall was accepted. A Rebuild Committee was set up and project initiation started in April 2022. The project team are being assisted by the charity Cheshire Community Action (CCA), which provides an advisory service for village and community halls in Cheshire and is part of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE).
At the Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre AGM held on 31st March 2022, the Trustees’ Annual Report including a proposal to rebuild the Hall was accepted. A Rebuild Committee was set up and project initiation started in April 2022. The project team are being assisted by the charity Cheshire Community Action (CCA), which provides an advisory service for village and community halls in Cheshire and is part of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE).
Summer 2024 Update
It’s been 2 years since the Hall rebuild project started in April 2022. The first task, to apply to The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF) for a grant towards the rebuild, is progressing well. We have been following TNLCF guidelines to review options for rebuilding the Hall. This involves gathering information about the advantages and disadvantages of each option and agreeing criteria and weighting for scoring the options. Initially there were 9 options but by November 2023 we were left with 3 viable options. One of these, Option 5, involved moving one or more of Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club’s tennis courts to Wistaston Church Lane Academy. The school is part of The Learning Partnership trust and on May 2nd 2024 we were informed the trust are not able to support the project. We then proceeded to score the final 2 options and Option 6, “Reallocate the way the site is apportioned between Hall, Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club and Wistaston Memorial Hall Bowling Club” was selected. This was ratified at the Management Trustees meeting on 30th May 2024.
Work has now started on the Architect Design Brief for the new Hall. We will share plans for the new hall design via this site and open days at the Hall.
To get the latest news come and visit our stand at Wistaston Village Fete on Saturday June 15th.
Work has now started on the Architect Design Brief for the new Hall. We will share plans for the new hall design via this site and open days at the Hall.
To get the latest news come and visit our stand at Wistaston Village Fete on Saturday June 15th.
Information regarding the progression of the project will be published on the website and in local communications.
If you would be interested in being involved in the Rebuild project, we would love to hear from you. [email protected]
If you would be interested in being involved in the Rebuild project, we would love to hear from you. [email protected]
| wmhnb_annual_report_for_2022.docx |
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