The project has been funded by a Community Assets Fund Grant through the Office of The Third Sector and administered by the Big Lottery Fund. The newly refurbished building incorporates a main hall, reception – café area, meeting rooms, IT training suite, offices and broadcast studios.

Ashfield Community Radio and Media Training has undertaken a 30 year lease to manage the centre on behalf of Ashfield District Council and to develop activities, training and use by the local community.

This project was one of just over 30 nationwide to receive Community Asset funding. It is also only the third project to complete, on budget and within its timescale.

Ashfield Community Radio and Media Training began as an interest group back in 1993 and has been on the Acacia site since 1995. Charitable status was gained in 1998 and we became an accredited training provider in 2000.

During the long development period the community have always been fully supportive of the project and there have been many consultations about their needs so that the new centre can offer something for everyone.

Frank Horsley, Head of Community and Economic Promotion for Ashfield District Council commented:

"We wanted to set an example of how to inspire and deliver community empowerment by transforming the Acacia Avenue Community Centre and Studio. Ashfield District Council is committed to the asset transfer as a way of engaging and building the capacity of local communities to enable local people to deliver their own aspirations and future prosperity.”