After a number of years of planning and a global pandemic, the Paddock Wood Community Centre finally opened its doors in early 2023.
The main hall that can be used as a large hall accommodating 300 people or split into 3 smaller halls.
The building was built by local firm Baxall’s to be eco-friendly, with a mechanical ventilation heating and air-cooling system, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. The car park is of sufficient size to serve not only the community centre and nursery but also the adjacent memorial field. Residents will also be able to access the centre by bus, cycle or on foot.
This facility will bring much needed community space for use by residents. There is a hall that can accommodate 300 people but also be split into 3 smaller halls for smaller groups, a kitchen with a café area, a reception/office, a meeting room and a nursery. Also included in the project are two new LTA compliant tennis courts, a new cricket wicket and improvements to the pavilion.
Once the electricity supply was connected by UKPN, the builder Baxall’s was able to hand over the building to the town council and this happened at the beginning of March 2023.
Cllr Meryl Flashman receiving the keys from Baxall on 3rd March 2023
Cllr Meryl Flashman received the keys to the new Paddock Wood Community Centre last Friday (3rd March) from Malcolm Clarke, Managing Director of local construction company Baxall.
It was then time to start the internal fitting out of the centre before its official opening on Sunday 3rd September 2023. More photos of the opening can be viewed in our Gallery.