WORK FINALLY BEGINS ON NEW ELLERAY CENTRE IN TEDDINGTON
Building work has finally started on the new Elleray Centre in Teddington after several hiccups with contractors.
Workmen are on site using heavy machinery to dig the foundations and clear the site ready for actual building to start.
The security boards surround the large site depicting stunning imagery of how the centre will look when it finally opens in 2025.
Meanwhile the existing Ellery Hall at the end of Elleray Road is continuing to welcome new members and is still in need of extra volunteers and new trustees.
By the end of next year it is hoped to have a brand new, purpose-built centre containing a large hall that can be divided into separate sound-proofed spaces, several other rooms, a café area, an attractive garden and a terrace with seating.
While the Council will own the building, the charity, Elleray Community Association (ECA) is entrusted with running and managing it for the benefit of the community at large: a centre run by the community and for the community.
The vision is to make the new centre a vibrant and lively community asset that really does have something to offer to just about everyone living in and around Teddington – a thriving venue that will provide:
- A wider range of activities and a social hub for existing members
- Facilities for a range of classes and activities including arts and crafts, health, fitness and wellbeing, hobbies and pursuits, training, self improvement and advancement
- Space that can be used for events such as children’s parties, exhibitions, etc
Over the past 45 years, Elleray Hall has been a place where local people can take part in a range of activities run by Elleray Community Association.
The services remain an integral part of local support for older people. However, the building in which they are based is increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. Thousands of pounds is spent every year heating the non-energy efficient building.
For the last few years new proposals have been drafted for the upgrade of the centre.
The vision for the new community centre is for it to be at the heart of the local community.
It will continue to offer core services for older residents, but also allowing and encouraging a wider range of groups and individuals to use the centre, enabled by a more flexible design.
The new community centre will be relocated to the nearby former depot and North Lane (East) car park, while the current Elleray site will be used for the housing scheme.
Once the new community centre is complete, demolition of the existing Elleray Hall building will begin.
To learn more about Elleray Hall and its activities and volunteer opportunities go to: https://www.ellerayhall.org/
