A MEETING will be held to discuss building a new sports and community centre in Wivenhoe.

Early plans for the facility will be available to examine and residents will be asked for their suggestions on how the project should take shape.

The idea is to overhaul the home of Wivenhoe Town Football Club, in Broad Lane, opening it up for wider community use and generating money.

Kevin Hall, architect and club coach, said: “We urge as many of you who can to come to the meeting and have your say about what gets built.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for the whole community to contribute and vote for what facility they would like to see developed at the Broad Lane Community Grounds, be it swimming pool, climbing walls, netball or multi-use courts.

“It’s also more than a sports space. It could incorporate a nursery, children’s play area, or other community-based uses. It’s really up to the community to sculpt and shape.”

A focus group has been formed to work with Wivenhoe and District Sporting Facilities Trust, which leases the site from Colchester Council, and has been involved in a legal dispute with the football club over non-payment of rent.

An online voting system will be launched after the meeting where people can leave their comments.

Mr Hall added: “The key to the success of this proposal is to maintain momentum and engage everyone in the community.

“If permission is granted, we plan to start work in early 2012, with completion before the end of that year, which, as everyone knows, will be a huge year for sport in Britain.”

Brian Sinclair, Wivenhoe mayor, said: “This will be a huge benefit to residents and small businesses.

“It will attract more people into the area and help to further promote the outstanding facilities the Wivenhoe area has to offer.”

The public meeting will be held at the William Loveless Hall, in Wivenhoe High Street, on Monday, at 7.30pm. Details of the development will be available on broadlanefuture.com afterwards.