The original community centre at Bat & Ball was built in 1974, using an existing agricultural structure as its basis. It became a well used and important facility for Sevenoaks but by 2014, 40 years on, it was showing its age. Reports showed the need for major repairs to the roof among other issues. It also compared unfavourably with more recently built centres in neighbouring towns.
Over the next year, the Conservative-run Council consulted closely with all the user groups and in 2015 a User Group committee was set up along with the Community Infrastructure Committee to manage the process of designing and building a new community centre, among other capital projects.
A RIBA sponsored competition was held for architects to put forward their concepts for the centre which gained national and international attention. Planning permission was granted for the winning design in 2018 and construction of the new centre began in 2019.
The rebranded Bat & Ball Community Centre was delivered on time and on budget in December 2020, even in the face of all the disruptions caused by the pandemic. It accommodates the wish list from all the stakeholders, including an outdoor Multi-Use Games Area and offers new resources for businesses and wedding events which will deliver a positive contribution to the budget of the council.
Alongside the restored Grade 2 listed Bat & Ball Station, Sevenoaks residents now have places to meet and play fit for the 21st Century. Take your first look at it online https://vimeo.com/497240958
