A NEW Tesco store for Bordon could be the catalyst for better facilities in the town, according to councillors.
The supermarket, which is planned for the Bordon Motors site on the High Street, was named as one of the town's success stories over the last year at Whitehill Town Council's annual meeting last Thursday.
Public consultation on the detailed plans ends today (Friday) and it will then be up to district councillors to decide on the plans.
A BMX track, an upgraded Whitehill crossroads and a learning centre have been added to the town's facilities in the last year and plans for a skate park are moving forward after the MoD agreed, in principle, to lease some of its land in Budds Lane for five years to the council for the facility.
A fresh round of consultation has now begun on the skate park, which involves gathering views from nearby Bordon Infant and Junior Schools as well as the skate park users' group, before the MoD's offer is officially accepted and the lease signed.
Speaking at the annual meeting mayor Neil Ockenden said: "The BMX track is now open in Jubilee Park. Progress is moving on with a skate park, which is a much needed facility.
"The most welcome news is the new Tesco plans. All that remains is for the district council to approve the plans.
"The artist's impression is amazing - I just hope we have the public transport to match it."
Zoya Faddy agreed: "Tesco would be the catalyst for us (Bordon). It would be good for Bordon and it could be the turning point. It is what you would see when you go into Bordon."
Bordon's Youth Umbrella Group, which was an initiative by the town council, has also come a long way in the last year, according to Mrs Faddy.
"A Snap disco is coming out of that (youth umbrella group) and a website has been done by youngsters at Mill Chase," she said.
The town council has given key grants to community groups and organisations during the last year, including Barbados House, Whitehill and Bordon Community Association, Cornerstone Counselling and Wey Valley FC.
In his report, Mr Ockenden, expressed his gratitude for the hard work of Ian Dowdle and Mary Walters, who retired from the council in the last year, and welcomed Dr Helen Walters and Linda Gouldsmith, who have taken their seats.
The achievements of pupils at Mill Chase Community School, which were highlighted at the school's annual awards evening in November 2001, were praised by Mr Ockenden.
"They just get better and better.Those youngsters really open your eyes to what they can do," he said.
The "guts" and determination of the town's residents were praised by district councillor Michael Watkinson, who he said came out in force to fight to keep the Chase Hospital's only ward open.
However, it has not been all good news for the town in the last year. The recent announcement that bus services in Bordon could be cut has concerned councillors and residents alike.
Don Mayes said that a number of people who use buses for Saturday jobs will be affected by the cuts and he asked for "questions to be raised at county council".
The services affected by the cuts will include the 28 and X28 Alton to Basingstoke, 13 Alton to Petersfield via Selborne and Greatham and the 221/2 Bordon/Whitehill shopping bus, which operates a circular route from Mill Chase Road to the Forest Shopping Centre, via Whitehill and Oakhanger.
The county council, which provides the services under contract, has decided to make the cuts from June 2 because it said the services represent poor value for money for council taxpayers because not enough people are using them.
The number 38 bus service, which is provided commercially by Stagecoach, could also be cut because the operator has reported that not enough people are using it.
However, there is hope because the county council has a discretionary power to provide financial support for loss -making services where passenger numbers meet the county council's criteria for support. Officers in the passenger transport group are currently examining survey data in order to determine whether or not there is a case for financial support.
Michael Cartwright, who serves on the county council's education and policy and resources committees, said: "It is a very serious matter and the cumulative effect is serious. We will do out best to fight it."
Bordon residents will not be cut off from the bus network completely however, because plans are in the pipeline to increase the frequency of service 18 between Aldershot and Whitehill from hourly to every 30 minutes.
A service between Portsmouth and Petersfield along the route of service 38 is also set to be introduced along with a one-way journey twice a day between Liss Forest and South Downs College.
The effect of this action is to retain the existing frequency of service 38 over most of the route.
The section of route that would lose its service is between Petersfield and Whitehill, which includes Liss, Liss Forest and Greatham.
However, these villages would have alternative facilities to Petersfield by way of Stagecoach service 72 on Mondays to Fridays, but would be without bus links to Whitehill through to Aldershot on Mondays to Fridays and without buses at all on Saturdays.
A one-minute silence was held at the meeting in honour of Queen Elizabeth - The Queen Mother.