For the first time since 2015 The Wells Community Centre can open its doors to the public.
Although the centre is still not fully open, The Epsom Wells Community Association (EWCA) wanted to give everyone the chance to step foot back inside and enjoy a classic Christmas Fayre this year.
EWCA have just been awarded a small grant by Surrey County Council’s YourFund Surrey small grants scheme. Put forward by Cllr Bernie Muir the association was successful in their bid for funds to get the building safe for use. Although this funding falls short of the original ask of the main YourFund Surrey scheme, it does enable EWCA to open the building ahead of schedule and allows the community to start benefitting from events like the Christmas Fayre.
EWCA Chairperson, Vanessa Marchant, said:
“It’s so great to be able to get the community, who have donated thousand of pounds to the cause, into the building as soon as possible. When we realised that it was going to cost as much to apply for the YourFund Surrey main grant, as to get the building open, we decided to apply for the small fund instead. This meant we could get the essential work done and also hit our deadline with EEBC, ensuring we didn’t time out on our lease offer from them. For the larger work, we now aim to apply to the National Lottery instead, as they offer project development money, which YourFund Surrey does not. We hope this is a better use of the community donations received so far, as it puts the building back into the community’s hands and gives them the chance to ensure its future.”
Coming to events like the Christmas Fayre is just one way to support the journey back to life for The Wells Community Centre. Over the next few months more hirers will begin to offer classes and we will be able to announce what these will be in the next few weeks.
The next phase is to apply for funding to the National Lottery to replace the failing heating system and remodel the lounge into a coffee shop. We are also hoping this work will include the installation of a lift between the floors and a revamp of the playground too.
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