News

Public asked to shape the future of park

June 17, 2008

Lottery cash could be used to improve a village country park for the borough’s residents, walkers and nature lovers.

People are being asked to have their say on three ideas for how California Country Park in Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, could be improved for the whole community to enjoy.

Wokingham Borough Council’s countryside service is applying for funding via the Heritage Lottery Fund scheme in the autumn.

The three ideas are focused mainly on potential changes to the facilities and buildings at the park – a scout hut, café area, toilets and small car park.

The first option would be to keep the current café building, extend the scout hut to improve the facilities there and enhance the landscape to open up the area.

The second option would see a new multi-use building behind the café with a courtyard linking the two and looking into demolishing the scout hut for an adventure playground.

The third option would see a new café and visitor centre built on the lake edge, the existing café converted into a multi-purpose building for community groups and possibly demolishing the scout hut.It is understood that Catherine Hagan, who runs the California Dreaming Café at the park, would lose the facility under the changes.

She said: “I think if they do their preferred option, which is three, my lease would have to be opened to tender, so I would probably be out-bid.

“Apparently they cannot just transfer my lease. The timing of it all will probably coincide when my lease expires anyway. I am not too worried.

“I also do not think it will happen. The council have just got Lottery funding for the Gorse Ride community centre [which is being rebuilt under plans from Finchampstead Baptist Church] and it [the centre] is half a mile up the road and the Lottery people will look and think ‘do we need to put more money into that area?’.

“I think the timescale is they will find out if they have the funding in 2010 and work would start in about 2012, so the timing would work out.

“What I would not be happy about is giving up the lease beforehand, because I have invested money in getting it [the café] going.”

The council has outlined the advantages and disadvantages of each scheme in a consultation leaflet.

Councillor Simon Weeks, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “It’s important we get to hear as many people’s views as possible on how we should improve California Country Park.

“The country park is a great spot which is perfect for families, dog walkers, joggers, anglers and the community to enjoy, but sadly the facilities there do not always meet the expectations and need of the people using it.

“We want to make sure the facilities are improved, which is why we are pursuing Heritage Lottery funding for improvements.

“But we want to make sure those upgrades are in line with what the community wants to see there, which is why it’s vital that everyone who uses and enjoys the park should tell us what they think.”

Residents can pick up a feedback form from the California Dreaming Café at the park or visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/california-options.

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WARNING Those who have an interest in WBC's "plans" for the park would do well to take note of what has happened at the other WBC park, Dinton Pastures. The WBC Vision For Dinton also proposed grandiose plans for re-builds of existing facilities or a complete new build to accomodate a similar mix of users to that of California but with the busy 9 hole Hurst Golf Course included. Uncannily familiar is the 3 option scenario offered by WBC which, in consultation with user groups, would identify the preferred scheme. Earlier this year WBC announced the preferred option for Dinton. The building housing the Cafe and Countryside Services offices would be hugely extended on 2 floors to provide a Clubroom, bar, and changing facilities for golfers and sailors. The views from the upper story of the new building over golf course and lakes and the improved facilities would soften the blow of the closure of the existing clubhouse and a move to the other end of the site for golfers. So much for the Vision! The reality? WBC have just announced the closure of the Hurst Golf Course clubhouse with less than 1 month's notice with the management of the course moving to the cafe site along with the many hundreds of golf course users. New Clubhouse? NO. Any changing facilities? NO. A bar? NO. Golf Shop? NO. Increased car parking? NO. Any alteration to a building which, 25 years ago, was deemed by WBC to be too small to accomodate both Park and Golf users? NO unless you count the installation of a desk in the existing entrance hall. Not a single item identified by the Golf User Group as required before a move would be supported by the users will be put in place before the proposed move. Please note that the people driving the proposals at California are the same people who have so badly let down the golf users and others at Dinton Pastures. Mic McCrory