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).
Autumn 2024 Update
It’s been over 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 followed TNLCF guidelines to review options for rebuilding the Hall. This involved 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 May 2024 we were left with 2 viable options. 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.
In September 2024 we reached a major milestone by completing the Architect Design Brief for the new Hall. This was signed off at the September Management Trustees meeting and also by the Bowling and Tennis Clubs. The brief, which can be viewed below, has now been issued to our architect Bower Edleston and we are looking forward to receiving the first draft of the plans for the new Hall. We will share these plans via this site and via open days at the Hall.
In September 2024 we reached a major milestone by completing the Architect Design Brief for the new Hall. This was signed off at the September Management Trustees meeting and also by the Bowling and Tennis Clubs. The brief, which can be viewed below, has now been issued to our architect Bower Edleston and we are looking forward to receiving the first draft of the plans for the new Hall. We will share these plans via this site and via open days at the Hall.
Architect Design Brief issued 14th October 2024
| wmhrb_architect_design_brief_v1.0.docx |
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 |
| wmhrb_annual_report_for_2023_final.docx |