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New pavilion in pipeline for Stockcross as proposals move to next stage





The plans sparked concerns among council members and village residents earlier this year when the estimated capital costs increased from £200,000 to £342,000 due to changes, including additional changing rooms, wheelchair-accessible showers and toilets and alternative external landscaping, being incorporated to comply with funders’ terms and make the centre more accessible.
On Monday, councillors voted to continue with its plans to build the pavilion at Stockcross Recreational Ground.
The council is keeping the latest estimated capital costs under wraps as the project approaches the tender process, however Jonathan Russell said they were lower the initially predicted.
He added that measures were also being considered to reduce running costs, including through the installation of solar panels and the use of conventional gas.
The building is expected to cost around £2,700 in maintenance costs for the first year, £2,000 of which will be supplied by AFC Newbury, and the council is hopeful that the remainder will be generated through other leases.
Anthony Newell-Hart voted against the proposals on the grounds that he wanted more solid proposals that taxpayers would not be left to foot the bill of additional work and maintenance and running costs.
He said that agreements with funders, which include the Football Foundation, Greenham Common Trust and Sport England, stated that once contributions were agreed the council would be left to fund any increases to the estimated cost itself.
The remainder of councillors, with the exception of Keith Phillips who was not present, voted to continue to the next stage of the process.
Council chairwoman Caroline Holbrook said: “This has been looked at by [project managers] Wilby and Burnett, the working party and mechanical engineers and everybody has come to roughly the same conclusion.
“The costs are to be met by AFC Newbury, any other letting income and Speen Parish Council unless the management committee that runs it can find other ways, and there are a whole series of ways which we can raise funds rather than burdening the parishioners.”
She cited a scheme at Newtown Village Hall, in which up to £2,000 a year is raised through its venture activity club, as an example.
Ken Sullivan added: “There has to be a tiny, calculated risk. If you look at Wembley Stadium there was a risk involved.
“I think it will be a very worthy thing to do.”
Finalised plans will now be drawn up and will be put to tender in approximately two months.



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