YMCA Unveils Amitious Wimbledon Redevelopment Plans


Scheme could include a 24-storey block

Ambitious plans to build a £15m new YMCA building on The Broadway in Wimbledon alongside an open public plaza and 140 new homes were unveiled today.

The proposed scheme, which will fund 100 fit-for-purpose rooms for those in housing need, will also include key services for people living in and around Wimbledon. These are:

  • Cafe and conferencing facilities
  • A dedicated children's centre
  • Expanded health, fitness and wellbeing facilities, included an improved gym
  • A flexible 'village hall' space to accommodate a range of community sporting and social events.

The private residential building envisaged as part of the scheme could be a 24-storey block, but there are also plans for several shorter blocks.

It will include 140 one, two and three-bed apartments, with 70 off-street parking spaces, new restaurants and shops, as well as an open public piazza.

The plans are in the early stages and local residents are being asked to give developers their opinion. A public exhibition is taking place at the YMCA until 7pm today and from 11am-5pm on Saturday.

Developers say the feedback will be incorporated as the plans develop, and there will be more chance to comment before the scheme reaches the outline planing stage.

The building will be designed by Lord Richard Rogers' architecture company - Rogers, Stirk Harbour and Partners (RSHP).

The consortium behind the project, Wimbledon Gateway LLP, has acquired neighbouring Olympic House and another area of land next door to enable it to carry out the development.

The actual YMCA accommodation, which will feature shared living facilities for small groups, will be built first on the Olympic House site so vital housing is not lost during development work.

The current 1970s-built YMCA (left), has 110 single rooms, with shared bathrooms and no self-catering facilities. Maintenance and running costs are high, and it's generally not fit for purpose.

Andy Redfearn, Director of Housing and Development at YMCA London South West, said: "We are very excited about this bold and ambitious scheme.

"We think RSHP will help us design and deliver a new YMCA that will set a benchmark in the UK for community facilities that will serve the people of Wimbledon and beyond."

He said they have taken inspiration from the YMCA in Vancouver, Canada, which has fulfilled a similar ambition to deliver high-quality YMCA facilities, coupled with community services.

To find out more see www.ymca-hereforgood.co.uk. To make your comment, telephone 0207 630 3811, or email: consultation@ymca-hereforgood.co.uk.

Will it be good for Wimbledon? Let us know on our forum.

October 18, 2013

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The YMCA entrance in Wimbledon