DECADES of dreaming came to an end in Wimborne on Friday as a centre “for the people” finally opened.

Supporters want Leigh Park Community Centre, boasting a stage, hall and kitchen plus two play parks, to be whatever the estate’s residents want it to be.

Committee chair Sian Murdoch said their open day and barbecue were a success. “We want people to create the space they want,” she said. “We’ll run a few things but we want to provide what they ask for, whether it’s dance lessons or adult learning.

“There’s a real buzz about the place, and it lends itself to socialising and getting together.”

Councillor John Burden, who’s been fundraising since the project began in the 1980s, said: “To me the centre is something the estate has got to be proud of. On some estates there might be divides, but not here. It’s been a long hard struggle but we have got there.”

Leigh Park Children’s Centre moved into its part of the new building at the start of term, and manager Nathalie Sherring says they’re delighted.

“We can’t quite believe it yet but everybody is very happy,” she said. “For the first time we’ve got office space and storage, which makes everything much less stressful.

“Now we’ve got our own room with furniture and toys we don’t have to pack every single thing up after every session.

“It’s a much nicer environment – we’ve got toilets on site, room for nappy changing and space outside, so the children have already had a picnic.

“It’s made such a big difference.”

The £606,000 centre is a joint project between Wimborne Town Council, East Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council.