Celebrating the opening of Brooklands Park Community Centre in Stoke Gifford

SNG, alongside local partners, hosted a free celebration on Tuesday 14 April at Brooklands Park Community Centre, marking a major event since its opening. 

Many local people dropped in throughout the day to enjoy free food and drinks, family-friendly games and activities, and a range of community stalls offering local information and advice. The event provided an opportunity for residents — including many new customers — to meet neighbours, connect with local organisers and learn more about activities planned for the area. 

A highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque which recognises the centre as a shared space for connection and opportunity. The plaque sits alongside artwork displayed throughout the building, some of which has been created by local residents and reflects the area’s heritage and wildlife. 

The event also showcased the new facilities available at the centre, including a welcoming lobby, café, modern community hall, meeting rooms and flexible spaces designed for clubs, activities and events. Visitors were able to explore the building and find out how to hire spaces for community use. 

The Brooklands Park Community Centre has been delivered as part of the wider Brooklands Park development, which will see around 900 new homes built in partnership between SNG and Crest Nicholson. Funded through Section 106 developer contributions and South Gloucestershire Council’s climate and nature budget, the centre has been designed with strong sustainability credentials, including solar panels with battery storage, an air source heat pump and high performance windows and doors. 

Matt Buckham, Managing Director of the SNG Community Foundation, said: “We’ve been working closely with Stoke Gifford Parish Council, the community, including local residents and community organisers, to understand what they want for their neighbourhood today and for the future. We’re thrilled to support the community’s ambitions, helping spark a range of local initiatives including creating even more opportunities for young people. The new centre has incredible potential, and we can’t wait to see it grow into a vibrant hub, that brings people together and strengthens the Brooklands Park community.”  

Charlie Stevens, Regional Managing Director at SNG (Sovereign Network Group), said: “As a longstanding, committed partner in the development of Brooklands Park, where we’re delivering around 900 new homes alongside our partner Crest Nicholson, we’re proud to have funded and delivered the new community centre. Working closely with South Gloucestershire Council, Stoke Gifford Parish Council and our project partners, we’re delighted to see the centre completed to such a high standard, with a strong focus on environmental performance. We look forward to it becoming a resilient, well used community asset for generations to come.” 

Managed by Stoke Gifford Parish Council, the Brooklands Park Community Centre is now open for bookings and community activities, providing a welcoming hub to support the growing neighbourhood.