15 October 2008

Monday evening saw the official opening of a new £1.6 million bedroom wing at King’s Park Conference Centre.

David Reynolds Chairman of the EW Hall Trust unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion in the presence of the Mayor of Northampton Councillor Brian Markham, Sir Hereward and Lady Wake, David Laing, President of Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs (NAYC), Commander Michael Saunders-Watson and other dignitaries. The new wing is named ‘Winnie Hall Lodge’ in memory of the late philanthropist whose trust helped enable the 48 new rooms to be built.

Tony Prestedge, Executive Director of Nationwide and Tim Martin, Communications Manager of West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC), who also helped fund the development, attended the event.

The centre now has a capacity for 190 people. This doubling in size will help provide more facilities for the 250 voluntary organisations and charities that use King’s Park each year. Also for the Sports Coaching Courses that use the centre throughout the summer. Since completion Winnie Hall Lodge has already had over 500 guests.

The increased income from the expansion will also be used to benefit young people, youth groups and schools across Northamptonshire. This is due to the unique way that NAYC, who runs the King’s Park site, works.

John Whittaker, Chief Executive of NAYC explains:

“Income generated by the Conference and Sports facilities is re-invested into the youth work we undertake. This enables us to employ youth workers and provide resources to meet the needs of voluntary groups, schools and individuals countywide. This means that the youth work being undertaken is sustainable over the long term which is vital.”

Roger Mendonca, Interim Chief Executive of WNDC says:

“West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) is proud to have enabled the building of the new Winnie Hall Lodge accommodation, particularly as the development benefits the county on many different levels.    “Investing in Northampton’s future means more than just bricks and mortar which is why WNDC contributed £750,000 to enable this development to happen. We are very happy to have funded a project of this nature and pleased to work with a committed charity organisation like NAYC. The new accommodation will enable NAYC to expand their youth development programmes and sports facilities”.

Tony Prestedge of Nationwide Building Society adds:

“As a Building Society we believe strongly that we have a social responsibility to the communities in which we operate. We invest at least 1% of our profits in good causes every year and are delighted to have been able to support the building of Winnie Hall Lodge.

“We hope that the young people and groups using the lodge find it provides them with the additional comfort and support they need to develop their potential and achieve their goals.”

NAYC’s new accommodation block                                            A bedroom inside the wing

News released in partnership with NAYC.

Media enquiries: Keredy Stott 01604 597 627 keredy.stott@wndc.org.uk

Adam Pope, PR Manager, NAYC 01604 499 699 adampope@nayc.org

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