Community leaders have embraced a proposal to create a community centre in Kingston as a base for voluntary and ethnic groups.

Forty leaders met last week at Kingston University to discuss the plan, first put forward in 2000 by the then Mayor, Councillor Shiraz Mirza.

A multi-agency working group has been set up to investigate what is needed.

Last week's workshop highlighted strong support for a mix of facilities that could be used for both social and ceremonial purposes and provide associated office accommodation.

Leader of the Council Councillor Roger Hayes said: "It is clear that many Royal borough community organisations would benefit from additional accommodation and facilities that could be hired and shared as required.

"A building owned by the community for the community seems to me to be a splendid idea and would help sustain the very good race relations that exist in the borough."

The project is gaining support and momentum but it will be some time before the first bricks are laid.

A suitable location still needs to be found, although council property in Ashdown Road, where the new library may go , has been suggested as a possible location.

The project is likely to cost more than £1million and a community trust, similar to the one set up for Kingston Theatre, will be the likely means of collecting money.

But with the theatre and two town centre churches collecting money for worthwhile causes, there are set to be a lot of organisations taking from the same pot.

Economic and regeneration co-ordinator at Kingston Council John Mumford said: "It is certainly a challenge but

we are prepared to rise to it.

"I think we do enjoy very good race relations in the borough and anything which brings minority groups together must be a good thing."

July 8, 2002 09:30