A grand £300,000 grant has taken the fundraising total to £2.1 million for what is being described as a 'once-in-a-generation community project' in Warwick.

Priory Pools Community Centre has reached a landmark moment after being awarded the grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, taking the total raised for the project to just over £2 million.

The award marks a significant milestone for the charity, bringing the long-awaited vision of a purpose-built community centre for the Packmores Estate in Warwick significantly closer to reality.

Janette Eslick, Trustee & lead fundraiser for Priory Pools Community Centre, shared: "This is an incredible moment for everyone who has believed in this project. For many years people said a new Community Centre for Packmores would never happen, but today we are celebrating one of the biggest milestones in our journey. Raising £2.1 million is a huge achievement and is only possible because of the generosity of funders, local businesses, community organisations, volunteers and hundreds of local people who have supported us along the way.

"We are now so close. If we can complete our final fundraising, including reaching our £50,000 Aviva Community Fund target, we hope to start building in September. This really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a lasting community asset that will benefit Warwick for decades to come. Please donate what you can. It everyone in Warwick donated the cost of a pint of beer or coffee, we'd soon reach our target - check out our website to find the link to donate. Thank you!"

Janette Eslick, Trustee & lead fundraiser for Priory Pools Community Centre on site of new Community Centre holding Aviva Poster (image supplied)

The project has been driven by local residents, volunteers and trustees who have worked over the past few years to turn what many believed 'was an impossible dream into a reality.'

The charity is now completing its competitive tender process. It expects to appoint a construction contractor by the end of July, with the ambition of starting work on site in September, subject to securing the remaining funding required.

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Priory Pools Community Centre has one final major fundraising campaign underway through the Aviva Community Fund, which aims to raise £50,000 towards the Centre's solar panels, air source heat pump system and low-energy lighting. Through the Aviva's match-funding programme, every individual donation of up to £250 is currently being doubled, 'helping supporters make twice the impact.'

Reaching the £50,000 target would help complete the funding package needed to begin construction whilst ensuring the building is as environmentally sustainable and affordable to operate as possible. The renewable energy systems will reduce future running costs, allowing more income to be invested in activities, services and support for local residents.

The new £2.5 million Community Centre will provide a welcoming, accessible space for people of all ages, with a large community hall, café, food pantry, youth facilities, meeting rooms and outdoor spaces. It will become a hub for community activities, clubs & societies, health and wellbeing programmes, advice services, volunteering and social enterprise, helping tackle isolation, improve opportunities and strengthen community life.

Priory Pools Community Centre is encouraging everyone to support the Aviva campaign before it closes. Donations of any size will be matched by Aviva up to £250 per person, doubling every contribution.

To donate or find out more, visit here or support the campaign directly here.

Priory Pools Community Centre has reached a landmark moment after being awarded the grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, taking the total raised for the project to just over £2 million (image supplied)