ALTON could have a brand new £2 million community centre, but only if the town can convince East Hampshire District Council that it really wants one. If the decision is taken to go ahead with the project it will be the first time in more than a decade that EHDC has financed a landmark building in the district. And it will be a real coup for the people of Alton. To be constructed on part of the Bank car park, alongside the river and facing the new library, this purpose-built centre would provide much-needed accommodation, not just for community activities but for Alton CAB, the Tourist Information Centre and EHDC's presence office. In describing it as "a one-off opportunity for Alton", Alton Town Council leader David Willoughby urged the community to support the lead given by East Hampshire District Council in striving to provide a new building. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, he said that since the decision was taken in 2003 to address the problems being faced by Alton Community Association (ACA), a working group had been looking at all the options and, while they appreciated that many people would be sad to lose the old building, it had become clear that to refurbish it would not achieve the objective of providing a modern all-purpose centre fit for the 21st century. Furthermore it would be totally impractical since it would mean vacating the building while work was in process, bringing problems of relocation. It was feared the cost of accommodation would make it difficult for many users and services to operate, putting the future of these operations and, in particular ACA staff, in jeopardy. In the case of a new building all parties would continue to function as normal at their current location until they were able to move in. "We, as a committee, have voted unanimously for a new start and we hope Alton will support us in this," said Mr Willoughby. In making his case for a new building, Alton Community Centre manager Richard Swainston said he was now convinced that new build was the way forward. "While there is the option of modifying the existing building, it really isn't feasible. It is a much loved but hard-worked building which has reached the end of the road," he said. The new-build scheme would be a massive undertaking for East Hampshire District Council which would have to find the £2m plus needed for the scheme up front. However, once operational the fact that it will provide accommodation for the CAB, the TIC and EHDC presence office will free two of the council's property assets - the offices in Cross and Pillory Lane and Alton Community Centre, the latter of which, EHDC deputy leader Sam James said, would be demolished and the site sold to pay for the new development. Alton CAB manager Teresa Jamieson, is "totally behind the project". Describing the Cross and Pillory Lane premises as "a nice old friend" it was, she said, "no longer fit for purpose". The CAB has outgrown it and it does not lend itself to wheelchair access. Having struggled alone to try and secure new premises which, after nine years were "long overdue", Mrs Jamieson considered the joint project "a huge opportunity for massive investment in Alton. The people of Alton should grab it with both arms," she said. The wheels have already swung into motion for the planning of a future "one-stop centre" with the drawing up of a detailed brief and the commissioning of architects to undertake feasibility studies. Two schemes have now been shortlisted, differing considerably in style and approach. Alton-based architects Format Milton have produced their vision for a bold bespoke building of modern design, while Ken Scadden of Portsmouth has taken a more conservative approach, to reflect the library building opposite. Next week East Hampshire District Council will go out to public consultation. An exhibition is to be mounted at Alton Community Centre and at the CAB, to outline all the options and to show people the proposals and the results of the two feasibility studies. "Part of the process will be inviting people to choose an architect, not the building," stressed EHDC's head of community services, Andy Ferrier. "While the plans you see might be indicative of the style of the architects concerned they will not be the final scheme." People will also have the opportunity to fill in a consultation sheet - available at both venues. The exhibition at Alton Community Centre will open from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday, February 12, and will continue throughout half-term week (February 14 to 18) opening from 8-30 am each day. The CAB display will be available during normal opening hours. There will be a presentation of the two schemes by the architects at EHDC's NW area community committee, starting 6-30 pm at Eggar's School on Tuesday, February 22, with the results of the consultation reported to EHDC cabinet in March. If the decision is made to proceed with a new build scheme it is likely that Alton's new multi-purpose community centre will be ready for occupation early in 2007.
