MAJOR changes could be on the horizon for recreational facilities in Thornbury with plans to relocate both the Armstrong Hall complex and the library.

Thornbury Town Council have begun talks with South Gloucestershire Council to discuss the potential for relocating the services into Turnberrie’s Community Centre.

Options are also being explored as to whether Thornbury museum could be included in the move, with discussions with museum trustees yet to take place.

The community centre, which is managed by a committee of trustees, is owned by South Gloucestershire Council, who say the site has the potential to accommodate an Armstrong Hall equivalent size space for performances, with associated stage and changing rooms, as well as additional community meeting space and facilities.

Thornbury mayor and chairman of the Armstrong Hall Trust, Cllr Helen Harrison, said that talks were in their very early stages, with no decisions having been made.

She added that the town council would be taking a twin track approach to ensure continued progress of the Armstrong Hall’s redevelopment would not be interrupted while the potential of moving to Turnberrie’s was explored.

Over the next few months, more work will be done to establish the feasibility of the proposals, which will include the need for new facilities and the design for them, obtaining detailed costing and potential funding sources.

This work is set to be used as the basis for a detailed consultation with the community and users of the facilities over the summer, prior to any decision being made.

Cllr Harrison said: “It is important for the future of Thornbury, that as the town grows it has the community facilities to enable it to thrive.

“This idea is one that we should fully explore with local people to ensure that Thornbury gets the facilities it needs that will serve us well into the future.”

As the proposal was in its early stages, no mention has been made of what would happen to the existing sites, should the move take place.

Cllr Heather Goddard, chairman of South Gloucestershire Council’s environment and community services committee, added: “Thornbury has a very active and engaged community of people who want access to services.

“While there is always change to the way we do things, it makes sense not only to use the best facilities on offer, but also to sit down with partners and discuss the best way of providing services together, if it means we can be more efficient and it will deliver what local people need.

“We are at the having conversations stage, but we want to make sure that the local community is part of that conversation. As we are able to develop options and ideas, we will make sure that residents get the chance to make their views known before we make any firm proposals.”