BLUE sky thinking – that is what is required to turn dreams of a new community building at Love Lane in Petersfield into reality.

And that will apply not only to what goes inside the building but also how the development will appear under the blue skies of a national park.

Even at this initial stage, thoughts are turning as to how to give the new building as many green credentials as possible – with ideas suggested including storing rain water underground so it can be re-used and creating a ‘living roof’ where plants are used to make sure the building is in keeping with its green surroundings.

However, it’s what goes inside the building which is crucial to the success of the project – and the team trying to push ahead with developing a plan want your ideas to help shape the new community space for Petersfield.

At present, although some initial drawings and concepts have been produced, the team leading the project forward have a blank sheet in terms of what goes inside the building.

The idea is for it to be a facility which can be used by everyone in the community by providing facilities people of all ages will be able to use.

The centrepiece of the proposal as it currently stands is to have a main hall which could be used for all kinds of purposes and events. The current idea as a theme for the whole development is to make each area as flexible as possible in terms of how it can be used.

So the main hall could have seating for around 500 people but this would be designed so it can be stored away when not in use and provide various seating plans to suit different events.

If staging was provided too then amateur dramatics groups could use the hall for their rehearsals and productions and the hall could also become a small conference centre for business use.

The hall could also be used for some sports – perhaps the growing sport of Futsal or larger yoga and pilates classes for example.

The current thinking is that by making this space as versatile as possible it would open it up to more use from a wider group of organisations.

The other parts of the building would contain a range of rooms to meet the requirement for office space, meeting rooms, club rooms, flexible rooms for multi-purpose use and rooms with specific functions, such as a dance studio, to meet the widest range and number of potential users.

Again flexibility in terms of how these spaces are divided up will ensure the new facilities provide community groups with spaces suitable to their needs.

Younger people in the town will also be considered when it comes to planning facilities. Those who have seen the concept drawing above for example, think the idea of having a climbing wall in the main reception/entrance area is a good idea.

The centre would also be linked to the skatepark at Love Lane and provide facilities for users, such as toilets and perhaps workshop areas where they could make repairs to their boards and bikes. The second phase of the skatepark would also be completed and these works include providing the first facilities in the country which can be used by people in wheelchairs.

The centre could also provide an opportunity for learning. The kitchen for the centre could be run by trainee chefs, similar to the RKdia scheme in Horndean.

Petersfield Town Football Club could base their academy – which includes an educational aspect to it where youngsters can earn BTEC and apprenticeship qualifications – in part of the centre.

Not forgetting provision for business use and links with the South Downs National Park, the ideas and potential for the community building are endless.

Groups and people in Petersfield need to determine what is included in the plans.