A 46-YEAR-OLD pavilion has been demolished to make way for a new £830,000 community centre.

The pavilion in Stone Recreation Ground, off London Road, which was built in 1964 and houses Stone Parish Council’s offices, was demolished on Friday (August 13).

A new pavilion will be built in its place, and it will provide more space for community facilities and the parish council offices, as well as a function suite and changing rooms for Stone Cricket Club.

The new pavilion, which has been funded by the parish council and a £157,000 grant from Dartford Council, is expected to open by the end of this year.

It will include environmentally-friendly features such as solar panels, low-energy lighting and a system to harness rainwater to irrigate sports pitches.

A parish council spokeswoman said: “The old pavilion has seen many of Stone's residents pass through, either as children attending St Mary's preschool or as members of Stone Cricket Club.

“It has played a big part of many people’s lives and has served the community well, however the time has now come to provide residents with a new facility.

“This will enable the community of Stone to interact with the council, each other, and in support of the variety of new and existing groups and associations that will utilise the building.

"The council intends that the new facility will become a true hub of the community, where a variety of services and provisions can be accessed and social occasions enjoyed.”