Northants REC Centre finally opens its doors!

ProHelp assists to provide Far Cotton with long awaited facilities

“We are so grateful to ProHelp. In the initial stages, we had no funds and no expertise with which to tackle such a huge project. We could never have achieved this without the professional help and guidance we received”.

Georgie AtkinsonVice Chair of SQDG

It has taken nearly ten years, but now the hopes and dreams of a small community in Northampton have finally come to fruition.

In 1998, Far Cotton was devastated by massive floods and has struggled to recover ever since. People have long felt the area is a forgotten outpost of Northampton with very few community facilities.

The Southern Quarter Development Group (SQDG) was formed between three local residents associations and after much consultation with people living in area, the demand for much needed facilities and services became apparent.
 

Processes

After much consultation, it was decided that the Far Cotton recreation ground would be the most suitable site and work began!

ProHelp member firm Hewitsons helped form a company limited by guarantee and register the charity, which allowed SQDG to be a formal entity from which to receive funding. The management team worked hard to raise the money required, a cool £2.8m, which came as a mix from emda, Northants Partnerships, local authority and the remainder raised by SQDG themselves. This would include making improvements to the local school building to provide educational classes in arts and drama. GSS Architecture, another ProHelp firm, worked along side SQDG for a number of years to complete a scheme that met the requirements, involving both sites.

A joint effort from ProHelp’s Underwoods and, once again, Hewitsons solicitors helped SQDG negotiate lease terms when, on completion, the new building was to be handed over to the community.

The new community centre will eventually provide full services including a library with a computer suite, sports facilities, medical services and a community café.

Impact

  • Collaboration of local businesses to provide essential medical services for the local community
  • Engagement of young people with the aim of reducing vandalism and anti-social behaviour
  • Development of educational and recreational facilities in an area of need

See also

ProHelp logo
REC Centre

Georgie Young (SQDG) and David Babister (ProHelp)