THE £800,000 project to provide Princetown with a brand new village centre building took a big step forward this week, when architects investigated the feasibility of two suggested sites for the centre.
The project, the result of a community consultation which is being pioneered by the Princetown Village Centre Steering Group, will see a centre built to house two large halls, a library, doctor?s surgery, sports facilities and IT suite in the village.
Field worker Judy Pride said: ?Things are really moving on now. The architects are now doing a site feasibility study, looking at the two site front runners, and will give us a professional view as to which of the sites meets the criteria best.
?It?s a big step forward ? once we have the site identified we can really start moving in terms of getting designs sorted out. We have two funding applications in at the moment, so things are really starting to happen.?
Mrs Pride said the two sites included the old prison officers? club, an existing building but in a very sad state of repair, and a piece of land close to the school, abutting the village playing field.
?We have a brownfield site and a greenfield site to consider but it?s all about getting the balance right in terms of the partners who will be using the centre.
?We have to make sure there is enough rent generated from the building right from day one, so we won?t be in that awful situation where we haven?t got enough money,? said Mrs Pride.
She said the site feasibility study was being carried out through the Business in the Community programme which helped tremendously in terms of finance.
Once the site had been chosen, the group will consider the options for construction of the centre, including traditional build and ?kit form? options.
The next meeting of the steering group will be held on October 19.
Anyone who would like to know more about the Princetown community centre project or view the business plan can contact the High Moorland Community Action office on 01822 890732.