6 Sep 2005 - Centre of attention! -6.9.04
A SEVEN year rollercoaster of fundraising, battling, sweat and tears proved worth it when a new community centre finally opened in Sheffield.
To applause and cheering, Sheffield MP David Blunkett opened The Pavillion in Middlewood Park, declaring it a facility to be proud of.
It was a day those behind the £1.6 million project - the Middlewood Winners - had worked tirelessly for.
The seeds for the centre were sown when the group of dedicated volunteers from the Winn Gardens estate met at a local childcare group seven years ago and began chatting about the lack of facilities available for locals.
Determined to make a difference to their community they formed a dedicated group and set about raising enough money to turn their dream into a reality.
Wendy Wells, from the group's board of directors, said she was thrilled to see the centre - built on the site of a once run-down council pavillion - finally opening its doors to the public.
"For so long now the centre has been a dream of ours, so to see it finally become a reality is overwhelming, yet thrilling. it is wonderful," she said.
"The proof of how much support there is for this centre was obvious to see the day before the official opening when people from all over the estate came down and helped out with the finishing touches - it was all hands to the deck, everyone was willing to do all they could."
The idea behind the scheme is to use it as a base to host community events and training programmes and as a place for groups and organisations to meet.
The hope is that it will help regenerate the area.
One of the main facilities at the centre is a new 30-place state-of-the-art neighbourhood nursery, due to open on September 20.
It also boasts an IT suite and a youth club and toddler group will meet there.
A room will also be designated for healthcare projects including stop smoking support groups, drugs and alcohol projects, an asthma club and baby weighing sessions.
"These are vital services and it will make a huge difference to local people to have them available right in the heart of our local community," said Wendy.
"The dedication of this small band of volunteers has been constant. The fruits of their labour have now come to fruition for all the community to enjoy.
"This is just the beginning. Now the building is finished they will continue to grow and develop the community."
Former Middlewood Winners volunteer Jane Darby has been employed as a community development worker at the centre and five nursery workers and a caretaker have also been offered jobs.
In recognition of her efforts with the centre Jane was recently nominated as one of four national finalists in the Nationwide Community and Voluntary Endeavor Awards.
To celebrate the official opening, a bouncy castle, slide and ball pool were erected for the children, there was an arts and crafts tent and beauty treatments available for adults.
To applause and cheering, Sheffield MP David Blunkett opened The Pavillion in Middlewood Park, declaring it a facility to be proud of.
It was a day those behind the £1.6 million project - the Middlewood Winners - had worked tirelessly for.
The seeds for the centre were sown when the group of dedicated volunteers from the Winn Gardens estate met at a local childcare group seven years ago and began chatting about the lack of facilities available for locals.
Determined to make a difference to their community they formed a dedicated group and set about raising enough money to turn their dream into a reality.
Wendy Wells, from the group's board of directors, said she was thrilled to see the centre - built on the site of a once run-down council pavillion - finally opening its doors to the public.
"For so long now the centre has been a dream of ours, so to see it finally become a reality is overwhelming, yet thrilling. it is wonderful," she said.
"The proof of how much support there is for this centre was obvious to see the day before the official opening when people from all over the estate came down and helped out with the finishing touches - it was all hands to the deck, everyone was willing to do all they could."
The idea behind the scheme is to use it as a base to host community events and training programmes and as a place for groups and organisations to meet.
The hope is that it will help regenerate the area.
One of the main facilities at the centre is a new 30-place state-of-the-art neighbourhood nursery, due to open on September 20.
It also boasts an IT suite and a youth club and toddler group will meet there.
A room will also be designated for healthcare projects including stop smoking support groups, drugs and alcohol projects, an asthma club and baby weighing sessions.
"These are vital services and it will make a huge difference to local people to have them available right in the heart of our local community," said Wendy.
"The dedication of this small band of volunteers has been constant. The fruits of their labour have now come to fruition for all the community to enjoy.
"This is just the beginning. Now the building is finished they will continue to grow and develop the community."
Former Middlewood Winners volunteer Jane Darby has been employed as a community development worker at the centre and five nursery workers and a caretaker have also been offered jobs.
In recognition of her efforts with the centre Jane was recently nominated as one of four national finalists in the Nationwide Community and Voluntary Endeavor Awards.
To celebrate the official opening, a bouncy castle, slide and ball pool were erected for the children, there was an arts and crafts tent and beauty treatments available for adults.