New Milton Memorial Centre maintains its commitment to long-running vision to become a cultural and community hub for the town

A POPULAR New Milton venue has reiterated its interest in long-running hopes to be transformed into a thriving hub.

For several years now, there have been discussions about expanding New Milton Memorial Centre on Whitefield Road to create a community and cultural hub for the area.

Included as an aspiration in the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan, this would see it become a central venue for educational, recreational and social benefit.

A wide range of facilities could be incorporated in addition to those in the existing building, including a cinema, provision for arts and community activities and events, and a café.

There has been little word about the project in recent years, but Cllr Alan O’Sullivan shared an update from the centre to a recent town council meeting.

This told how the full replacement of its roof and appointment of a new general manager were all “part of our journey towards being a cultural and community hub for the town”.

But the roof work had left the centre short of funds, the statement continued, compounded by Little Acorns nursery leaving for new premises on Old Milton Road.

The nursery, and its predecessor Little Angels, had had sole use of part of the venue’s upstairs for many years.

“We are in negotiation with New Life Church to give them security of use of our upstairs rooms in return for a cash injection; this partnership may take the form of a 25-year lease on some rooms,” the statement said.

“This would allow us to upgrade certain aspects of the centre.”

Ticketed events, including dances, tribute bands and shows, are becoming a more regular feature at the centre under the band New Milton Hub. It is hoped these will help build back its reserves.

The next scheduled event is a VE80 concert on Saturday 3rd May.

As well as this, the centre continues to host community clubs and services, including the frequent NHS service, Royal British Legion meetings, Zumba, pilates, Weight Watchers, karate, and Muslim prayer times.

It will also continue to be a venue for occasional meetings by organisations including the town council, New Milton Residents’ Association and the RNLI.

People can also make private bookings for parties or memorial services.

“We will still provide space for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal and annual town Remembrance Service,” the statement continued.

“We will be sharing more of this vision at our annual general meeting on Wednesday 30th April from 7pm.”

As reported in the A&T, a very early artist’s impression of how the new hub could look showed an extension opening out onto the north-east side of the recreation ground.