The Pavilion in the Park was handed over by builder C G Fry, who have built at cost, on Friday 15th January ready for fit out, with PiP café and community hub planning to open in early April.
Located on the Great Field at Poundbury, Pavilion in The Park (PiP) will be a sustainable community based café operated by Dorset charity, The Alcohol Education Trust that will offer locally sourced home baked food, cakes and a wide selection of drinks. There is also a room that will be available to hire for clubs, gatherings or meetings. The charity has raised the funds to complete the Pavilion, housing their office, a community space, public loos and café and are immensely grateful to all those who have made it possible, including the Town Council, County Council, Duchy of Cornwall plus wonderful individuals and funders.
The Pavilion is very eco friendly with solar power, air source heating, reclaimed tiles, paving and wood interior. Visitors will be able to borrow a book, buy a plant or art by under 25’s or lounge inside or on the veranda while enjoying refreshments overlooking the Great Field while supporting a Dorset charity. There will be an outside ping pong table as well as raised beds and a bird feeding station, with the main ‘Go Ape’ style play area, being built by The Duchy of Cornwall opening Summer 2021.
Helena Conibear, CEO of The Alcohol Education Trust commented: ‘For the last ten years, The AET has operated out of a garden garage in Frampton so to have a bespoke office, community facing café and meeting space in such a beautiful setting that will attract old and young alike is fantastic for everyone. We plan to open in late March or early April, depending on the lockdown and COVID’.
Richard Biggs, Mayor of Dorchester said ‘We are delighted that Pavilion in the Park is ready and congratulate the Alcohol Education Trust on their massive achievement. Having AET on site at The Great Field means we have a partner to work with to provide café, play and toilet facilities to park users. We look forward to building our relationship over the years’.
Les Fry Dorset Councillor and Dorchester Town Councillor commented ‘This is a really significant day for Dorchester and the development of the Great Field, the handover of the building to the AET marks a milestone in the progress of the field for community use. This building will become an important asset to the community in many ways. I very much look forward to the opening of the building in the near future’.
Jason Bowerman stated ‘The Duchy of Cornwall is delighted to see the new headquarters of the AET, with associated café, nearing completion. The Pavilion (PiP), is the result of a major planning and fund-raising exercise by the Trust. Construction has been undertaken during a time of quite unforeseeable restrictions and it is a credit to both the Trustees and CG Fry and Son, that such a high quality and valuable resource has been delivered. PiP’s will complement the major works undertaken by the Duchy on the Great Field over recent years, providing a wonderfully diverse area for both visitors and residents of Dorchester. The Duchy is pleased to have been able to support the project and looks forward to welcoming the AET to their new home in the Spring.’
Philip Fry Managing Director of CG Fry commented: ‘We have very much enjoyed working on this project with Helena and the team. We have carried the building and design work on this project on a no profit basis, as we felt that it would provide a valuable asset for the community as well as supporting a charity doing great work within the community. It is good to see how well the finished building looks in the Great Field’.
