CONSTRUCTION of the Farnham Memorial Hall’s £3.27m extension began in earnest this week with the newly-refurbished community hall set to re-open in September 2017.

Waverley Borough Council’s appointed contractors, Armfield Construction, arrived in West Street on Monday to prepare the site for the start of the multi-million pound improvement works.

Once completed, the revamped Memorial Hall will provide a new home for the Brightwells Gostrey Centre for older people and Waverley Training Services, as well as incorporating its existing community uses.

Additions to the hall over the next 12 months will include a new two-storey extension incorporating a health and well-being suite, activity and meeting rooms, and a kitchen.

Waverley is investing £2.24m of public money into the project, adding to a potential £800,000 of developer’s contributions from Brightwells contractor Crest Nicholson and £230,000 in “other contributions”, including funding by the North East Hampshire and Farnham NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and Surrey County Council.

Julia Potts, leader of Waverley Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that the works are getting under way at the Memorial Hall.

“This is a much-needed investment which will ensure that the facility is enhanced to support its current users and enable new community groups and activities to become part of the hall’s future offer.

“The council’s aim is deliver a flexible space that can be used and enjoyed by, all sectors of the community.”

Miss Potts also thanked the North East Hampshire and Farnham NHS clinical commissioning group for its “fantastic support” and financial contribution to the health and well-being suite within the extension.

This suite will include an activity room, treatment room, assisted bathing and hairdressing and will be used by the Gostrey Centre, which will relocate from its dilapidated centre on Dogflud Way.

The Farnham Memorial Ground was built by Farnham United Breweries in 1921 in memory of its five employees who lost their lives during the First World War and, together with the adjacent sports ground, was gifted to Farnham Urban District Council in 1947.

Waverley Borough Council inherited the deed of gift when the urban district council was disbanded in 1974, and the hall is currently maintained by Waverley.

Councillors granted planning permission in September last year for the new health and well-being centre, despite concerns by both Tory and opposition members that the new extension may become an “eyesore for generations to come”.

Miss Potts added: “The Memorial Hall is an incredible tribute to Farnham’s history and the council is committed to enhancing the space for all.

“Two oak ‘roll of honour’ panels in the entrance hall commemorating those in the community who sacrificed their lives during the First World War have been safely removed and will be reinstated into the new refurbished hall when it re-opens in September 2017.”