Community And Youth Centre

Thame Community & Youth Centre Project

An exciting project to rejuvenate the Southern Road Recreation Area

 

Thame, Do We Build the Community & Youth Centre?

It’s up to you. Please click here to let us know if you want us to proceed with the project.

 

 

 

Community Hub for All

Everyone in Thame will have access to this incredible facility and its outdoor spaces. Thame’s Community & Youth Centre will be used for: Conferences, lectures, celebrations, wedding receptions, fitness classes, local cinema, functions for seniors, youth groups & skills training, catered functions, exhibitions, concerts, family events, picnics, and so much more.

About the Project

Did you know that Thame is one of the only towns in Oxfordshire that does not have a dedicated community centre or tailored spaces for its youth? We want to change that, but we need your help.

Our Vision

The Community & Youth Centre will provide:

  • Flexible and rentable spaces, including a new 200 capacity community hall for events, lectures, conferences, health and wellbeing, fitness and arts activities; a music room, kitchen, dedicated youth club, and small group and 1-to-1 consultation spaces.
  • A new, larger entrance to the Scout Headquarters.
  • Landscaped exterior spaces with a rejuvenated play area, public toilets with disabled access & baby changing facilities, seating, and an income generating kiosk.
  • More car parking with EV chargers & bike racks.
  • Improved access to the Cuttle Brook nature reserve, encouraging people to get active outdoors.

Many Benefits

The new Centre will provide a place for all ages to meet and/or play.

The Centre will help reduce anti-social behaviour, improve emotional and physical wellbeing, give people new skills for work and life, especially those facing the greatest challenges.

The Centre will also be self-sustaining through income from pre-identified potential ‘anchor tenants’, other regular and ad hoc hires, and from statutory and charitable grants.

Why We Need It

  • Thame has growing youth and elderly populations.
  • Thame’s amenities are not keeping pace with growth, or towns of a similar size.
  • For over a decade, residents have been calling for a community centre in Thame.
  • Our youth desperately need a facility where they feel safe, can come together, obtain advice and support from youth workers and volunteers, learn new skills, interact, and be active.
  • Our senior residents tell us they want more community & intergenerational engagement and interaction.
  • The Centre’s facilities will help:
    – improve mental health,
    – increase physical activity,
    – encourage human interaction, and
    – promote outdoor activity and wellbeing.

 

 

 

 

Funding the Project

The estimated cost of the Thame Community & Youth Centre is £4.4 million.

Thame Town Council plans to fund the project through existing developer funds specifically allocated to the project, grants, sponsorships, donors, fundraising, and a government public works loan.

Our aim is to not only secure sufficient funds to build and fit-out the Centre, but also to prepare the way for ongoing revenue income for when the Centre opens.

 

What is a Public Works Loan?

The Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) is a lending facility that provides loans to local authorities from the National Loans Fund. The PWLB’s lending is mainly for capital projects.

If a Council needs to increase its precept to fund borrowing, evidence of public support is required for the loan application to proceed.

 

Less than a Cup of Coffee

Thame Town Council needs to secure sufficient capital funds to proceed with the build and fit-out of the Thame Community and Youth Centre.

If we apply for a Public Works Loan, Thame’s council tax precept per household will increase by up to £35 a year (Band D).

Which equates to less than a cup of coffee per household, per month!

So, the big question is: Do you want us to proceed?

 

It’s up to you. Please click here to let us know if you want us to proceed with the project.

Can You Help Financially or Otherwise?

The Thame Community and Youth Centre will have far reaching benefits for the people of Thame – all of the people of Thame. We are especially excited about the opportunities it will afford the future youth of our community.

For this project to proceed, we need to raise £4.4 million. As the saying goes, ‘you don’t know, if you don’t ask’, so we are asking, can you help? If you can assist financially, or otherwise, we would love to hear from you.

When filling out the above survey, please let us know how you can help, and be sure to add your contact information so that we can get in touch.