A YEAR on from opening its doors for the first time, a new community centre has been hailed for the positive impact it has had on the neighbouring housing estate.

The £4.7m centre on Carole's Way, Rose Hill, replaced the old centre in The Oval, which opened on the Oxford estate in September 1956.

There was plenty of nostalgia for the old building, but though many were sad to see it close, feedback on the new centre has been overwhelmingly positive.

Among its many functions the centre has provided a new home for Rose Hill Junior Youth Club, which runs activities for 180 children each week.

Community worker Fran Gardner, who runs the club, said: "It has been absolutely incredibly positive for us.

"It has been a completely fantastic thing.

"It has changed Junior Youth Club in such a positive way because of the space and facilities, such as a proper kitchen to cook from.

"The support from the community centre staff has been wonderful too.

"It is not easy for them on a Wednesday when more than 100 kids turn up and it's noisy and hectic but they have been just wonderful."

Work on the centre began in November 2014 and a soft launch took place in December 2015, before it was officially opened in January.

It hosts a gym, social club, changing rooms, advice centre, cafe and the Bill Buckingham ballroom and Norman Brown hall.

Rose Hill city councillor Ed Turner said he was particularly impressed with the uptake of the gym.

He said: "It is very good value, particularly for local people and the fact it has been well used is a real benefit.

"The new building is bigger, it is very modern and able to offer things that were never available in the old centre.

"The gym is a good example and I am pleased that groups like Silver Threads and the bingo have come into the new centre.

"It has been a fantastic space for local people to use."

One of the regular functions of the centre is to host meetings of the Rose Hill Tenants and Residents Association.

It was one of the first groups to make use of the centre when it opened and had a long history of involvement with the old centre.

Chairman Terry Kirkby said: "The new community centre is proving to be a great asset for Rose Hill people.

"Its' central location is proving popular making access easier for the entire estate.

"Membership of the tenants and residents association has increased, probably as a result, and is proving to be one of our most successful years."