THERE were celebrations at the Zion Christian Centre as Halesowen’s brand new community centre was officially opened.

The Little Cornbow church stepped in after the Lighthouse Project went into administration and have opened The Community Zone.

Already several community groups have been benefiting from the new facility but the centre was officially opened by family and charity guru Rob Parsons.

He said: “It is an honour to open this amazing facility because I know how important this will be to the community and especially the young people of Halesowen.”

Janet Whitehead, community outreach leader, said: “When the Lighthouse Project closed we felt that it was vital that we responded to the evident need that there was in the town for a similar facility & community space in this location.

“Although the new Community Zone is not entirely replicating the great work that the Lighthouse did it is a specifically designated place for developing and hosting a wide range of community and social initiatives.”

She added: “Since investing staffing and resources into this area in April we have already been able to provide or house the following on a regular basis: Foodbank, Halesowen College courses, PCT Expert Patients, Craft groups, Little Cornbow Over 50’s group, Safeguarding training, Seniors groups and Seniors ‘Holiday at Home’ Job Club, Parenting courses, NHS ‘Get Cooking’, ESOL and other training gatherings.”

Councillors, council officers, charity chiefs and religious representatives attended the grand opening last week.

The Community Zone is part of Zion Christian Church’s ambitious plans for a multi-million pound project called The Third Place which will be a landmark building for Halesowen that includes an auditorium, fitness centre, sensory room and community centre.