East Hampshire residents will see the benefits of another £10k in grants, approved by the EHDC Cabinet on Thursday 25 September. The money will be going to projects in Horndean and Rowlands Castle.
The Cabinet approved £5,000 towards landscaping as part of the Rowlands Castle Pavilion Extension Project which will extend the pavilion and provide much-needed additional facilities.
These will include: two externally-accessed toilets that will be suitable for use by people with disabilities and as baby-changing facilities, an additional officials’ changing room (for female referees), additional storage space and a partially-enclosed viewing area.
Once construction is complete, landscaping will integrate the newly-extended building with its surroundings, and ensure access for all. This will include the creation of disabled parking bays, railings around the ramp to the toilets, paths around the building to facilitate access for all users, movement of one of the existing gates to the Play Area to create a more convenient and open entrance from the main ground, and repainting the building.
Horndean Community Association was awarded £5,000 towards a new floor in the main hall and roof repairs at Merchistoun Hall.
The current laminate wood floor is over 60 years old and can no longer be repaired to make it fit for purpose. The existing flooring is now extremely thin due to a number of sandings and short term repairs. A new hardwood oak floor will be installed in the main hall.
A leaking roof has caused further damage to the internal workings of the building. The roof to the store and dressing room at the side of the main building will be repaired with appropriate materials, as required under the Grade II listed status of the building, and help to protect the equipment used by groups operating from the building.
Councillor Guy Shepherd, Cabinet member and Councillor for Horndean Downs said: ‘Merchistoun Hall provides valuable services and a venue to many members of the local community. These repairs will help to keep this facility available for years to come, and the £5,000 grant is an important contribution to the project.’
A range of community grants are available for groups based in East Hampshire. To find out more, go to http://www.easthants.gov.uk/grants
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