IT COULD be the best thing to happen to Rose Hill in a lifetime. That is the view of one resident who has been given a glimpse of plans for a new £1m community centre hub ahead of Saturday’s crunch vote on the proposals. From 10am to 8pm, residents can visit the existing centre to cast their vote on whether to renovate the current community centre or splash out on an entirely new build.

Some, including Pete Wilkinson, aged 68, have already pored over the designs.

And for him and several residents of Alice and Margaret House in Rose Hill, the new model is the popular choice.

He said: “I really hope that people go for the new plans.

“We deserve a decent community centre here that is much more up to date and has all the facilities that are needed.

“I particularly like the fact everything is under one roof and there will be plenty for the kids to do. It has much better sports facilities, and the community cafe too which I think is a great idea.

“I’ve lived here for more than 30 years and I think it is the best thing that has happened to Rose Hill for many, many, years.

“I strongly hope that it is what people will go for.”

Sharon Bates, 52, who has lived her entire life in Rose Hill, said the new community centre could bring in a new dawn for the estate. She said: “We are keeping our fingers crossed for this, the new community centre looks out of this world and really would benefit the entire neighbourhood. “There are so many positive things, from the cafe to the sports provisions. I work near here too and our offices could move down to the hub. It could be the start of something really good for Rose Hill. “There is the social aspect too, we don’t have a pub here so this will really bring peopple together.”

If a new community centre is built, the existing site at The Oval could be freed up for housing, including affordable homes.

Land at Ashhurst Way, beside the Co-op Nursery, has been earmarked as a site for a new hub, which would bring several services under one roof, including the social club, advice centre, sports pavilion and youth club.

The plans are on show at the Rose Hill and Donnington advice centre today between 9am and noon and the Rose Hill children’s centre tomorrow from 11.30am to 2pm.

The new centre would overlook the recreation ground on the site of the existing Rose Hill and Donnington advice centre.

Saturday’s ballot will help inform Oxford City Council’s final decision, as the authority would own the building.

If residents vote to press ahead with a new centre it could be completed by early 2015.

The cost of a new centre will be supported by £435,000 of contributions from developers.

Also on show will be artwork created by different community groups with artist Tiffany Black.