A preview of Hatherleigh?s fantastic new community centre was enjoyed by West Devon councillors last week. Construction of the £2.6-million facility is well under way and on target to be completed before the end of September. West Devon ward member for Hatherleigh Cllr Dennis Bater said councillors enjoyed looking around the site, following their civil lunch after the council?s annual meeting last Tuesday. West Devon Borough Council has contributed around £200,000 towards the project, which will provide a much-needed facility in the town. Cllr Bater said: ?It?s all going very well. It?s only about a fortnight behind target, which isn?t bad for such a big job. ?It?s a huge great place, which will be able to host sporting facilities such as badminton indoors, and there will be a small astro pitch outside where you can play tennis and netball. It?s next to the bowling ground so it all fits together very well.? Cllr Bater said the new centre will include showers and changing facilities and the large hall, with its removable seating, will be able to accommodate about 200 people. ?We are hoping to have a cinema there once a fortnight and there?s this long sweeping lawn outside going down to the river which could be used for outdoor performances,? said Cllr Bater. The Sure Start programme, which has contributed around £250,000 to the project, will be based at the centre ? there will also be adult education facilities and a full sized commercial kitchen. ?We are hoping to be able to cater for civic dinners there ? there are not many places in the north of the borough you can sit that many people down to a meal, and it would be an ideal place to get licensed for weddings,? said Cllr Bater.
