THE group behind a new £1.4 million community centre for Mangotsfield and Emersons Green hope it will provide a stimulus for new arts and sports groups in the area.

Bristol Christian Fellowship, which has funded the new state- of-the-art Resound Centre that will be completed this spring, is keen that the building is not just used for church activities.

Members hope the space, in Blackhorse Road, will be used by arts and theatre groups, bands and musical companies and community-based organisations.

The new two-storey building will come complete with a huge glass atrium and a tall curved roof.

At its hub will be a large auditorium, capable of holding 300 people for church worship, concerts, theatre and music activities and meetings. The building also includes a purpose- designed, self-contained room with outdoor access that will be used by Crossways Pre-school.

In the middle of the building will be a community café, that will be open during events, and a tall wall where art can be displayed.

Church leader Tim Groves explained that he wants the new centre to be a stimulus for new sports and arts groups.

"We don't want residents living nearby to think that this is just a church building," he said. "We want it to be very much at the heart of the community.

"We hope that new groups can meet here and we will be encouraging sports groups and many different residents groups to meet here.

"With the Olympics coming up it's important that we get children interested in lots of different sporting activities.

"This area doesn't have that many modern facilities and we are aiming to provide services for elderly residents who are marginalised and isolated, as well as activities for children, young people and families.

"We want the centre to be the hub of the community and open to everyone."

Before the Resound Centre could to be built the group first had to get permission to demolish the old Blackhorse Centre, constructed in 1965, which had become dilapidated.

It was also no longer large enough to accommodate the growing membership of the evangelical church. The group sold two of its other church buildings and relied on the generosity of church members and trust donations to afford the new build.

Planning permission was granted by South Gloucestershire Council in February and building began in June. The church hopes to hold a special open day in May.

Mr Groves hopes the modern feel of the new building will provide inspiration for those using it.

"We didn't want it to have a traditional feel of a church," he said.

"We wanted it to be innovative in design, because we feel that we want to be innovative in the delivery of our message.

"Anyone who is interested in using the building or visiting when it opens is welcome to get in touch with us."

For information and contact details visit www.resound-bristol.co.uk.