Oaken Grove Community Centre and Haxby and Wigginton Library reopens today

The wait is over! Oaken Grove Community Centre has reopened today, together with a new library for Haxby and Wigginton!

Explore Haxby and Wigginton library has reopened to the public at 10am on Tuesday 3 January (today).

Visitors are being wowed by the modern, fresh, welcoming, accessible library and new reading café offering barista-style coffees and snacks plus an outdoor terrace. Many features of the new Explore library have been chosen by local residents. Highlights include 10,000 books, an intriguing children’s library, relaxing seating, a separate area for teenagers, PCs and free wi-fi. Activities for all ages from under 5s story times and Lego clubs, to readers’ groups and craft clubs will start this month. Local residents also said they wanted longer opening hours so the library will be open six days a week with extended Saturday opening hours

Improvements to the community centre include a large central entrance with improved storage space, and new and refurbished community rooms for hire as well as upgraded toilets, kitchen and offices. The building is also more energy efficient with better lighting and heating and will be much easier to maintain in the future. Accessibility for users with disabilities has been improved as well.

Councillor Darryl Smalley, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities at City of York Council, said: “The new Haxby and Wigginton Library opening demonstrates our clear commitment to supporting, and improving, libraries across York. Our city’s libraries are for everyone, whether socialising, learning, reading or relaxing - they are some of York’s most welcoming community spaces. Operating as partnership between the Council, Explore York Library and Archives, and Haxby & Wigginton Youth & Community Association, the new library is now open six days a week and will include a new reading café for the community.”

Sarah Garbacz, Deputy Chief Executive of Explore York Library and Archive, said: “What an amazing start to the New Year to be opening a new library for the communities of Haxby & Wigginton. We’re open six days a week and can’t wait to welcome everyone back through our doors. We’ve fantastic spaces available to sit, relax, meet friends, catch up, or to work, or play.”

For more information about any activities taking place at Oaken Grove, please email info@hwyca.co.uk, ring 01904 769176, or visit www.hwyca.co.uk.  For details about youth activities at Oaken Grove please contact communityties@hwyca.co.uk .

For information about opening times and activities for Haxby and Wigginton Explore Library please contact haxby@exploreyork.org.uk, ring 01904 552660 or visit Explore’s website www.exploreyork.org.uk.