The brand\u2011new Brooklands Park Community Centre in Stoke Gifford has been officially opened at a special launch event, providing a much\u2011needed community space for residents alongside the hundreds of new homes being delivered in the area.<\/p>\n
Funded through Section 106 developer contributions and South Gloucestershire Council\u2019s climate and nature budget, the new building features a welcoming lobby, caf\u00e9 with servery, fully equipped kitchen, office space, meeting rooms, toilet facilities and a modern community hall.<\/p>\n
Visitors attending Saturday\u2019s (28 March) opening event enjoyed tea and cake in the new Brooklands Park Caf\u00e9 and were able to explore the community rooms now available for hire.<\/p>\n
Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, officially handed over the keys to Dave Addison, Chairman of Stoke Gifford Parish Council, as the parish council will manage the facility going forward.<\/p>\n
The community centre was constructed by John Perkins Construction on behalf of Crest Nicholson and housing association SNG (Sovereign Network Group), as part of the wider Brooklands Park development.<\/p>\n
Work started on the new community centre in November 2024 and South Gloucestershire Council worked closely with the contractor to ensure the building achieved the highest possible energy efficiency. On sunny days, the design means very little power will need to be drawn from the grid.<\/p>\n
Green elements include solar panels with battery storage, a next\u2011generation air source heat pump, and high\u2011performance windows and doors. These sustainable features were developed to meet the top\u2011tier Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) criteria, and the project is currently on track to secure a \u2018Very Good\u2019 rating.<\/p>\n
Artwork capturing some of the history and wildlife of the surrounding area, including pieces of art that were created by local residents, have also been installed throughout the new building.<\/p>\n
Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: \u201cWe are delighted the new community centre is now open for the public to enjoy. Community hubs like this are essential in helping new neighbourhoods flourish, and we\u2019re really pleased to see it open its doors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis building will make a real difference to residents in and around Brooklands Park. Having a modern, flexible space means more opportunities for local groups, families and volunteers to come together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe worked closely with delivery partners to create the greenest, most energy-efficient and financially viable building possible, which will help minimise emissions and keep energy bills low.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dave Addison, Chairman of Stoke Gifford Parish Council, said: \u201cThe Parish Council is delighted to be running the new community centre. It expands the facilities we are able to offer to the residents of the Parish and provides a much needed caf\u00e9 and meeting place for the residents of Brooklands Park\u201d<\/p>\n
Charlie Stevens, Regional Managing Director at SNG (Sovereign Network Group), said:\u00a0<\/strong>” As a longstanding, committed partner in the development of Brooklands Park, where\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0delivering around 900 new homes alongside our partner Crest Nicholson, we\u2019re\u00a0proud to have funded and delivered the new community centre.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking closely with South Gloucestershire Council, Stoke Gifford Parish Council and our project partners, we\u2019re delighted to see the centre completed to such a high\u202fstandard, with a strong focus on environmental performance. We look forward to it becoming a resilient,\u00a0well used\u00a0community asset for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Rupert Perkins of John Perkins Construction, said: \u201cBrooklands Park Community Centre is a great example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration. Working closely with Crest Nicholson and South Gloucestershire Council, we\u2019ve delivered a modern, energy-efficient facility that will support the local community while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the Brooklands Park development. We\u2019re delighted to have played a role in delivering such an important local asset.\u201d<\/p>\n