A COMMUNITY centre in Eastrop has been refurbished using £280,000 of developer contributions.

The Roger Morris Centre, in Eastrop Way, will officially open this Saturday.

It has been updated and extended to include a new entrance and reception area, additional rooms for activities such as exercise classes and meetings, and more storage areas.

The previously named Eastrop Community Centre was originally opened by businessman and former Mayor, Councillor Roger Morris, who had played an active role in establishing the centre in 1998.

Following his death in 2004, the centre was renamed The Roger Morris Centre, and it will be re-opened by his wife Susan at 1.15pm.

Various activities will be held to celebrate the opening, including face painting and smoothie making with Eastrop Youth Group.

Refreshments will be available to purchase between 1pm and 4pm.

An appeal is being made to residents who would like to get involved in the running and management of the building to join the centre committee.

Information on what this involves will be available at the opening.

Councillor Cathy Osselton, the borough council’s cabinet member for partnerships, said: “The refurbishment and extension of this much used community centre will provide the Eastrop community with a modern hub which has the potential to offer exciting social, recreational and educational activities for people in the area.”