A New Start for Maesgwyn Community Centre

A local group has transformed a local community centre after an anonymous donation kick-started a project that gave the building a new lease of life.

New Steps Life After Stroke (NSLAS) is a Wrexham-based support group for survivors of stroke that has been using Maesgwyn Community Centre for four years. When news hit the local headlines that community centres could no longer be financed by Wrexham Council they feared they would lose their base.

However, the centre has been financed by Offa Community Council with the hope of keeping it open for the local area.

After the suggestion that it needed an overhaul to make it financially viable and an anonymous donation of £1000, NSLAS’s new chairman, Arthur Millington, set about sourcing everything they needed to make it possible.

Work began on Saturday 20th December so that the building could be ready for 2015’s first booking. On Sunday 4th January, the hall’s first visitors were able to see the improvements and were hugely taken aback at the difference.

The interior of the building has since been overhauled with the reception area, main hall, conference room and the kitchen all being redecorated. A room previously used for storage has been redecorated and opened as a cloakroom for those using the hall. The whole building has had new curtains and new tables. Finally, Wi-Fi is now available free of charge to all users of the hall.

Arthur Millington, Chairman of NSLAS, said: “We have taken this project and really run with it, and I am so pleased with the end result. People and companies within Wrexham have been so kind in giving their time and equipment.

“Rhosddu Carpets have supplied and fitted the carpet tiles free of charge, Griffiths Tool Hire allowed us to use their scaffolding for two weeks without charge, Offa Community Council have enabled us to have Wi-Fi at the centre and B&Q supplied the paint at half price. This is all in addition to the time given by joiners and decorators. We were also able to purchase round tables for the hall with money donated by the Stroke Association, which will gives the members of our group and others to sit, chat and interact. All of these people have made the project possible and we are incredibly grateful to them.”

Cllr Phil Wynn, local member for the area, said: “This is a great accomplishment and Arthur and the group should be proud of what they have achieved. It is a fantastic example of a community working together and with local companies to create something for everyone to use and enjoy.”

Anyone can take advantage of this newly refurbished centre and it is open now for hire for anything from small or large conferences to fitness classes to children’s parties.