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13 September 2008 - Fun Day to Celebrate Rowner’s Nimrod Community Centre Extension

Fun Day

Cake cutting: Jacky Charman (RAP) with resident organizers of the event
Left to right: Ben Crump, Viv Morby, Jim Stallard, Serena Crump, Jacky Charman, Kaz Barnett, Claire Heather, Kasy Crump and John Gill

The opening of the Nimrod Community Centre Extension was celebrated in style on Saturday – it was alive with salsa dancers, children’s activities, arts and crafts, story tellers, fashion shows and dance academies. VIPs from Gosport Development Trust, Portsmouth Housing Association (PHA), Gosport Borough Council and the Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Derek Kimber, all participated in the fun with the many local residents.

The £400,000 extension was funded via SEEDA’s Area Investment Fund which provided £240,000 and PHA have donated the balance. The Nimrod Centre is owned by Gosport Development Trust whose board includes representatives of Gosport Borough Council, Gosport Voluntary Action and PHA. The Centre is managed by Gosport Voluntary Action.

This important extension has enabled:

  • The Rowner Access Point (RAP) to be relocated. As well as continuing its current range of services, RAP will become increasingly important as an independent information and advice resource for residents.
  • A new social club area for use by the centre management to promote community involvement as well as helping to ensure that the Centre is self sustaining in the longer term.
  • PHA’s Gosport Office to be relocated. PHA staff including the Rowner Renewal Project Team will be accessible to local residents. The team is due to move in later this year.
  • The current facilities of the centre such as the main hall, to be used for occasional larger meetings and consultation events.

Jacky Charman, Community Development Officer at the Rowner Access Point said:
“I am delighted that so many residents have come along to join in the celebrations of the new extension which will provide so many additional facilities for the residents and community groups of Rowner. It has been a fun packed afternoon and I would like to thank all the residents who worked with me to make this happen.”

Hazel Warwick, Group Regeneration and Development Director
at PHA said:
“This is an important step forward and PHA is pleased that we could part fund the project. PHA will establish a local office at the Centre to give the Rowner Renewal Project team a base in the heart of the community.”

The Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Derek Kimber officially opened the extension and said:
“I am pleased to see that Rowner has such a thriving community and at this point of Rowner’s regeneration scheme, it is important that the Nimrod Centre is extended. RAP have long awaited new offices and of course, the Rowner Renewal Partnership will soon be easily accessed.”