Works gets under way on the new Beehive Community Centre.
It is a momentous day for Honiton as construction work gets under way to build the new Beehive Community Centre.
A ceremony was held this morning (Monday) at the Dowell Street site and was attended by the mayor, Councillor David Foster, who brought a shovel along for the occasion.
Mr Foster said: “This is a great day for our town. It is a tribute to all those people who have worked so very hard over many years to bring this project to fruition and I believe it will play a huge role in bringing our community together both now and in the future.”
The event was also attended by the leader of East Devon District Council, Councillor Paul Diviani, EDDC chairman and Honiton town councillor Peter Halse and town councillor Alderman Vivienne Ash.
It was in 1983 that the then town mayor, Peter Blake, chaired a packed public meeting which called for a new community centre for the people of Honiton.
Campaigners, who were involved at the start of the project 30 years ago, gathered afterwards to mark the occasion.
Cllr Vivienne Ash, who was one of those original campaigners, said: “It has been a hard slog but it is fantastic to at last see the contractors on site.
“There is no doubt that we owe a great debt to the many people who have worked so hard to keep the project going over all these years.
“We are looking forward to inviting them all to the opening in December.”
Midas Construction has been chosen to carry out the build of the £1.8million development, which the town council hopes will address the lack of community facilities in the area.
Ian Pitman, the divisional director of Midas Construction, said: “We are delighted and honoured to be associated with this landmark project.
“Because of its central location, we will be drawing on our long experience of being considerate contractors to ensure that we are good neighbours throughout the construction phase of the project and will be contacting local residents prior to commencement.
“We are very proud to be the local contractor employing local people for the benefit of the local community and economy.”
Work on the new Beehive Centre is scheduled to be completed just before Christmas 2013.
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