A NEW pavilion building will re-open at Slades Park in Bournemouth on bank holiday Monday.

Active Dorset, a not-for-profit community interest company, has been involved in replacing the demolished 1980s pavilion with a new volunteer-led activity hub.

An opening event will take place on Monday, with everyone who uses Slades Park invited to check out the new building.

From 2.30pm local clubs are offering free taster sessions in All Stars cricket, family bootcamp, junior rugby, ‘canicross’ (running with dogs), and track cycling at the Bournemouth velodrome.

Active Dorset will operate the new pavilion under a long-term lease from BCP Council. It will be open Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm with accessible public toilets, WiFi and hot drinks available.

When there are sufficient volunteers to open and run the café it will serve cakes, ice creams, and hot and cold drinks.

Active Dorset also plans to extend the opening hours of the pavilion and café as more volunteers become involved.

The charity says all surplus raised at Slades Park will be re-invested to support the delivery of activities, or to enhance facilities at the site, and “encourage a more active and healthy community”.

Chief executive Martin Kimberley said: “Very many people and organisations have been involved in bringing this ambitious project to fruition, and I would like to thank them all.

“Bournemouth Council (now BCP Council), their parks team, and the Seascape team have been tremendous partners in delivering the Slades Park Pavilion project.

“It is the start of an exciting journey to deliver greater activity levels and improved physical and mental wellbeing outcomes for residents.”

Larry Austin, director of environment for BCP Council, said: “We have an excellent relationship with Active Dorset and we are delighted to be able to extend our partnership working with them to increase levels of physical activity.

“The refurbished pavilion is a wonderful addition to the Slades Farm and surrounding areas and we are very pleased to open the building, which offers excellent new facilities for the community.”

Before the old pavilion building was demolished, it was an “under-used facility”, according to Active Dorset, with no bookings taken in three years.

The council knocked the original pavilion building down last year, citing damage caused by vandals.