News Articles from 2006
Hook Centre preview event 16 December 2006
Residents in the south of the borough will get their first chance to see inside the striking new Hook Centre when it opens its doors for a preview event on Saturday 16 December.
As well as getting a closer look at the state-of-the-art building, visitors coming along to the preview will be able to view a display about the Hook Centre, meet local councillors and chat to centre staff about the services that will be on offer when the building opens to the public in January 2007, There will also be an opportunity to pick up library membership forms and find out about adult education ‘taster’ sessions being run from the centre in the new year.
The Hook Centre has been built on the site of the former Hook and Chessington Library by Kingston Council in partnership with the Learning & Skills Council, which provided a grant of £950,000 towards the cost of the building.
When it opens in late January, the Hook Centre will offer a range of services for the whole community including:
Public Library
Double the size of the former Hook and Chessington Library, the new facility will hold over 40,000 books including a full range of adult fiction and non-fiction, reference material and children’s books. Visitors will also be able to surf the net from one of the many computers located in the library, view short excerpts from DVDs and listen to CDs.
Adult Learning Centre
Providing a wide range of courses for local residents.
Council Helpdesk
Relocating from its current address in the Neighbourhood Office on Elm Road, the Helpdesk will offer information and advice on council services.
Citizens’ Advice Bureau
Free, independent and confidential advice to help people resolve their legal, money and other problems.
Recording Studio
Equipped with the latest in music technology, the recording studio will provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to develop their skills through a range of practical and creative courses and workshops. In addition the studio is available for use as a rehearsal space and for recordings.
Community Hall
Available to hire at competitive rates for a range of community activities.
There will also be a crèche and a café.
Head of Leisure and Lifelong Learning, Scott Herbertson comments:
‘Now that the construction phase of work on the Hook Centre is complete, we hope local residents will be intrigued to see exactly what has been going on behind the hoardings at Chessington. There are still some finishing touches to be made to the building before its official unveiling in the new year so this is a great opportunity to come along for a sneak preview and find out more about the wide range services the centre will provide.’
The preview event will run at the Hook Centre on Hook Road, Chessington from 9.30am – 12.30pm on Saturday 16 December. For further details, telephone 020 8547 6419.