Official re-opening of the Ken Kennett Community Centre

This Saturday, 3 November 2018, will mark the official re-opening of the Ken Kennett Community Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon following extensive refurbishment.

The Ken Kennett Centre has been closed for over two years due to the deterioration of the facilities, which led to a lack of use and resulted in the disbanding of the local management committee.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council, Warwickshire County Council and Stratford Town Trust all recognised the importance of the centre as a valuable community asset. Partners including Orbit and Tesco alongside local community champions set about identifying funds to enable the centre to become an open and accessible community hub.

Clopton Community Action Group, chaired by Cllr Jason Fotjik, was formed to take on the management and running of the centre. Local architect and Treasurer Dominic Skinner drew up plans to create a revitalised functional space for the community. Plans included a new accessible front entrance, internal and external decoration, new flooring, larger windows and a new kitchen. 

Funding for the refurbishment was provided from Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council, £20,000 respectively, in anticipation of repayment from S106 developer funding. Warwickshire County Council also provided funding of £6,000 towards the project.

Orbit supported the project with their contractors, Swale providing and fitting a new boiler, and Fortem providing and fitting a new kitchen. Orbit also provided funds for soft furnishings and has pledged ongoing support for the centre.  

Furniture has been supplied by the NFU and young volunteers on the NCS Scheme planted up pots donated by B&M to brighten up the exterior.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "This project has shown the value of partnership working with a positive outcome for the local community through public, private and voluntary sector organisations working together for local residents. The Ken Kennett Centre provides a valuable and vibrant hub for activities in the heart of this community."

The Mayor of Stratford, Councillor John Bicknell, said: "I congratulate all concerned in bringing this project to fruition and retaining this vital asset for the community.  The Town Council is proud to have been involved and I look forward to joining you at the opening and seeing the transformation." 

Before the official opening families are invited to book their place via Eventbrite to watch a FREE screening of  'The Incredibles 2' from 10am to 12noon at the Centre.

Residents are invited to come along from 2pm to look around the Centre, meet the Clopton Community Action Group and see how they can get involved. Free refreshments will be available with delicacies from the local community.