CHIG_Oct2007

Canada Hall Update

October 2007

In our previous CHIG update we said that we would be commissioning a new survey of Canada Hall to see what could realistically be done to the existing structure as part of a possible improvement project.

Following approval from the PCC, the survey has been undertaken and initial indications are hopeful that we might be able to do something with the existing structure. We will however need to await the formal report before drawing any firm conclusions and we will keep you closely informed of developments as they occur.

The PCC meeting also agreed that we should conduct a questionnaire of both existing and prospective users to help us re-assess what they need regarding minimum and maximum requirements in terms of space and facilities. That questionnaire is being drafted and we hope to issue it fairly shortly.

Fundraising continues in the meantime and we are very grateful to those groups that have organised special events as well as to those individuals who have contributed to the cause either by way of personal donations or from private activities. Don’t forget that on 17 November we have the skittles evening in the Newton Hazel Scout Hall and on 8 December we have the Murder Mystery Evening being organised by Tim. Do please continue to help our project by supporting these very important events.

Some of you will have seen the recent broadcast letter from Linden Homes regarding the originally planned Community Centre as part of the Watercolour development. This effectively says that instead Linden Homes is now submitting a planning application to change that community centre into a commercial building and offering the sum of £360,000 towards “off site community facilities”.

The letter goes on to say “Local facilities that could be improved by provision of this contribution include the proposed New Merstham Estate Project and the recently approved new Canada Hall”. We will need to discuss with Linden how this might work, particularly if we adopt a modified scheme and our chairman Derek Hammersley will continue his long-established dialogue with Linden on this issue. There is a still a long way to go and indeed there is no guarantee that Linden’s proposed planning application will be successful, but we will continue keep you informed of developments as they occur.

In the meantime, feel free to approach any member of CHIG (contact details on the magazine cover) if you have any suggestions or would like to discuss any issues related to the development.

CHIG

20 October 2007