CONSTRUCTION to modernise a vital community facility in Popley is underway.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Melrose Community Hall, in Abbey Road, on Thursday last week to mark the start of work getting underway.

As part of the refurbishment, the hall’s kitchen will be upgraded, with a new hall space constructed, along with a staircase, shower room, and reception area.

The work will also include splitting the currently too-large office space in half to allow for more storage.

Money for the refurbishment has come from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Local Infrastructure Fund and additional funds have been supplied by Hampshire County Council.

Chair of the Melrose Community Association, which runs the hall, Phil Keeble, said: “With the continual growth of Popley, with new homes popping up, we want to provide a facility which can cater for more people and more activities.

“We want to provide a facility which will benefit the whole community, and by updating the facilities we will be able to that.”

The committee which runs the building, which was opened in 1996, said they are looking to open up the space and make it suitable for my physical activities.

Building manager Vicki Jackson added: “The new hall will have a wooden floor, rather than a concrete one, which will be better for children’s play and various exercise classes.

“We are also looking to construct a purpose-built play area outside for families to use.”

The new space will also allow the community café to open for three mornings a week, up from the current one.

Cabinet member for communities and community safety at the borough council, Councillor Simon Bound, said: “It is really important to keep facilities like the Melrose Community Hall running to the best of their ability to provide a place for the community.”