Trustees of Springwood Community Centre are celebrating after being given charity status and signing a lease to officially take over the running of the centre.
The newly formed Springwood Community Foundation has signed a 25-year lease for the Springwood Community Centre in Waterlooville.
The process of forming the foundation charity status and signing the lease has been several months in the making, with the group producing a business plan and entering into a lease with responsibility for managing and maintaining the building.
The centre will continue to be used by people of all ages, including the main tenants Bouncy Bears Pre-School.
Charlotte Waters, joint leaseholder and trustee of the Foundation, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the lease transfer has finally been completed. We can now go full steam ahead with our plans to offer local groups meeting facilities at very reasonable rates.”
Lee McAll, another member of the Springwood Community Foundation added “We are pleased to be awarded charity status. This will enable the foundation to access external sources of funding, that will enhance the building and the resources we can offer to the community.”
Havant Borough Council’s Cabinet lead for Housing and Communities, Councillor Gwen Robinson praised the work of the newly formed foundation, saying “Having successfully operated the Springwood Community Centre since October 2023, the Springwood Community Foundation is now officially registered with the charity commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
“The Springwood Community Centre offers a wide and diverse range of activities including dance classes, toddler/baby groups, martial arts, social clubs, sports and educational events for all ages and interests.”
Councillor Liz Fairhurst, added; “As Trustees of the Foundation, Lee McAll, Charlotte Waters and Keira Jacobs have entered into a lease with responsibility for managing and maintaining the building for 25 years. This will allow them to progress their proposals to enhance the centre to ensure that it remains a welcoming and inclusive space for the entire community.”
To find out what Springwood Community Centre has to offer visit https://springwoodcc.co.uk/. Springwood Community Foundation’s Registered Charity Number: 1207156
Our Corporate Strategy outlines three themes of wellbeing, pride in place and growth. Our wellbeing theme aspiration is centred on improving the health of our communities across the borough through providing access to health, fitness, leisure and cultural facilities of which the Springwood Community Centre is a key asset to help deliver this. This is a follow up story from November 2023.