The old Penhill Bowls Club in Swindon has been transformed into a vibrant community hub after a £160,000 renovation
Swindon: The old Penhill Bowls Club was a real mess for years. It was covered in graffiti and overgrown with brambles. It looked like nature was taking over, and vandals had done a number on it.
But then, during the pandemic, the Central Swindon North Parish Council stepped in. They didn’t want to see it just sit there and rot, so they got some grant funding to give it a major facelift. Now, the two-room pavilion looks brand new!
And guess what? SevenCapital is donating a half-pipe from the Oasis Leisure Centre’s skate park. It’s going to be set up right by the entrance soon. How cool is that?
Last Friday, a bunch of folks gathered to celebrate the opening of The Parkside Hub. There were parish councillors, project manager Andrew Briggs, some kids from SevenFields Primary School, and even local MP Will Stone.
Cllr Kevin Small, the parish council chair, was super excited. He said it’s a great win for Penhill and hopes it becomes a lively spot for the young people in the area. It’s been a long time since they had a youth facility.
Before cutting the ribbon, he reminisced about opening the Penhill youth centre back in 1994, which later closed. He emphasized how important it is for young people to have their own space, especially with all the government cuts happening.
He’s committed to supporting the youth because they’re the future. He hopes they’ll enjoy this new facility for years to come.
The hub will have a café and a room for youth services, perfect for local community meetings and activities for groups like Shine, Smash Pinehurst, and Pop.
Cllr Paul Park, who represents Penhill, shared how amazing it was to be part of this project. He said the building was forgotten until the parish got creative and secured the investment needed to bring it back to life.
He couldn’t believe the transformation, especially considering how bad it looked before. He praised the community’s dedication to helping each other.
Will Stone MP cut the ribbon and expressed his excitement about the hub opening after 15 years. He can’t wait to see how it evolves, especially with the skate park and inclusive learning equipment coming soon.
