Tag Archive for: redevelopment

The Golf Groove Comes to Wimbledon

The ongoing developments of Centre Court Shopping Centre are well underway with the first of the new developments, The Golf Groove set to open this month.

Wimbledonians and beyond will soon be able to experience a brand new high-tech immersive golf experience with a stylish bar and restaurant. The space will bring a different kind of entertainment to Wimbledon, catering to anyone from the amateur golfer to the well-versed pro.

Whether you are looking to play with friends and family, learn from PGA Qualified professional coaches or just grab a drink with colleagues you’ll find everything under one roof – or bay! Their 12 state-of-the-art, Trackman and Callaway supported bays are designed to accommodate everyone from scratch golfers to first-time explorers. Tee off from the Empire State Building or play a round of golf at the world’s best courses.

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Richard Harrison, CEO of The Golf Groove:

The Golf Groove is very much looking forward to being a part of the Wimbledon business community. Our hi-tech indoor golf experience is for everyone from beginners to Tiger Woods and our bar and dining area is designed for comfort with a homely design. Our South West facing terrace captures the sun all day and is a perfect spot to enjoy a drink or some food from our Chef Marlon.

With a highly experienced team of PGA professionals, we are focusing on group lessons for everyone as well as detailed tech coaching using Trackman. Our partners Callaway are proving equipment in every bay. We will be open from 0700am until 2300hrs midweek and from 0800am at weekends. We look forward to welcoming you all.

 

For updates on opening and booking, please visit www.thegolfgroove.com

YMCA Redevelopment Wins Planning Application

CGI view of planned development, looking towards west of The Broadway

 

The YMCA on Wimbledon Broadway has received planning consent for redevelopment. YMCA St Paul’s Group alongside development partners Thornsett, architects DLA Architects and Newington Communications, are delighted to have received a resolution to grant permission from Merton Council to deliver a brand-new YMCA hostel in Wimbledon, alongside an adjoining development of 135 new homes.

In summary the final proposals will deliver:

  • A new YMCA hostel comprising 121 en-suite rooms with shared kitchens on every corridor. These new facilities are designed to promote independent living, to ensure residents feel safe and secure, and to provide a significantly higher quality of accommodation;
  • An improved YMCA café, gym and fitness studios for wider community use;
  • 135 new homes (1 x studio, 108 x 1-beds, 25 2-beds and 1 x 3-bed), which will ultimately finance the re-development of the YMCA and support its survival in Wimbledon;
  • Two flexible commercial units at ground floor, alongside the provision of public open space, which will serve to activate the street frontage along The Broadway;
  • A sustainably designed building, which aims to achieve a 100% carbon reduction, through the delivery of a fabric first approach, a heat pump solution in both elements of the development, and a range of other sustainability measures.
  • In order to encourage sustainable travel, residents of the development will be unable to apply for on-street parking permits. YMCA Wimbledon will also include environmentally friendly transport initiatives such as a free subscription to a car hire scheme for residential tenants, electric charging points for the four disabled car parking spaces, and plenty of on site, secure cycle parking.

The architects and the YMCA worked closely with local residents and businesses to enable a well designed building using high quality materials, and a local artist has also been commissioned to create tactile facades on the front of the building on brick work and screening.

Work is expected to start on site in 2021.

Richard James, CEO of YMCA St Paul’s Group said:

We are thrilled to have received this positive endorsement from Merton Council to redevelop YMCA Wimbledon and deliver a brand-new centre that we and our residents can be proud of. Our proposals will provide much-improved accommodation for young and vulnerable people in Wimbledon, helping them back into independent living and to lead more fulfilling lives, whilst also offering improved services and new, modern facilities for the wider community. YMCA has had a presence in Wimbledon for 150 years – about as long as the All England Club! – and planning permission for this fantastic new building will help us to continue to carry out our work here for many more years to come.

Gerard Cunningham, Executive Chairman of Thornsett, added:

Thornsett has been working closely with YMCA St Paul’s Group for the past two years to design a scheme of exemplary quality, which meets residents’ needs. We are delighted that Merton Council has given us the green light to deliver our plans, which will offer 135 high-quality homes for the borough, alongside the brand-new YMCA centre. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the YMCA, the Council and local residents to deliver the scheme and the many benefits it will offer.

For more information click here.

Polka’s BIG Redevelopment News

Following generous grants from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund , Arts Council England, London Borough of Merton and many other vital funders, Polka Theatre are delighted to confirm they will be temporarily closing their doors on 18 February 2019 for a major redevelopment, reopening in 2020.

This will be the first redevelopment in their 40 year history.

Peter Glanville, Artistic Director & Joint CEO at Polka Theatre, commented, “We are excited to be creating a beautiful, reimagined facility for children in our community. On behalf of all at Polka, thank you for your support in getting us to this stage. We look forward to sharing this exciting new chapter with you.”

Polka Theatre will soon be announcing plans for their new season Polka40, celebrating Polka’s rich and varied history, with further exciting show announcements to come later in 2019.

You can follow them on social media for all the latest news.

In the meantime, scroll down to read about their plans  for FUTURE POLKA and find out how to get involved!

The Plans:

  • Improved Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas
  • Multi-sensory Garden
  • Dedicated Buggy Park
  • New Toilet & Baby Change Facilities
  • Larger Cafe
  • New Adventure Theatre
  • Dedicated Creative Learning Studio

Find out more…

Polka to receive £1.2 million from Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund

Polka has taken a significant leap towards achieving its plans for redevelopment in 2019, with the award of investment from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund.

The £1.2m award towards the theatre’s FUTURE POLKA programme is a clear endorsement of Polka’s importance as a cultural hub for the local Merton community and a resource for children and families from across south London and beyond.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019, Polka is the UK’s leading theatre for children  up to the age of 12. The redevelopment will be the first since the charity first opened its doors back in 1979 and will ensure Polka remains at the forefront of children’s theatre for future generations, providing innovative, challenging and thought-provoking work for an increasingly culturally diverse young audience. The development includes a new Adventure Theatre specially designed for young children  up to age 5, a new rehearsal and development studio, and a creative learning studio
designed with particular reference to children with sensory needs, as well as improved  access facilities.

Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Culture, Councillor Nick Draper, said: “I am delighted to hear that Polka Theatre has received this investment award, which will go a long way to bring their FUTURE POLKA plans to life. This gives a  much needed boost to a vibrant arm of our community which promotes diversity and champions accessibility for artists and audiences in London.”

Commenting on the award, Peter Glanville, Artistic Director & Joint CEO of Polka said “We could not be more delighted. This award is a clear demonstration of the Mayor of London and the GLA’s commitment to supporting culture and community-led  regeneration in Merton and a ringing endorsement of the value of Polka’s work with children and families. Theatre and access to the arts nourishes and inspires children’s creative development. This investment celebrates the world class cultural provision Polka creates and shares with children and families in our local community.”

Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “This is a great example of a project which aims to give Londoners of all backgrounds the opportunity  to be actively involved in shaping how their city develops. The Mayor and I are committed to supporting ‘good growth’ by building a city where all Londoners have
access to the same opportunities and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project has in the future.”

This funding award means Polka has less than £800K to raise to reach their total fundraising target. Other key project supporters include Arts Council England, London  Borough of Merton, major trusts and foundations, and individual supporters.

For further information on Polka and FUTURE POLKA: polkatheatre.com/futurepolka