Harrow College has celebrated the official launch of a performance and community venue and a newly redesigned park.
Arc House – situated inside Lowlands Recreation Ground, in Lowlands Road, Harrow – will host everything from theatre productions and birthday parties to exercise classes and coffee mornings when it opens in April.
There were celebrations as the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Ajay Maru, cut the ribbon to mark the official opening on Tuesday (March 17).
Helen Galliford, Arc House events manager, said: “The Arc House project embodies the spirit of community and prosperity.
"Not only will it provide a platform for local groups and corporate entities to host events for locals, it will also bring some much needed regeneration to Harrow town centre and offer employment and volunteer opportunities, as well.”
The venue – next to the college's Harrow on the Hill campus – will form part of a new indoor and outdoor performance space, café and public park.
The remodelled park also houses new play equipment, furniture, more direct paths, a new amphitheatre and new trees.
The project has been funded by London Mayor Boris Johnson's office, Harrow Council and the college.
Daniel Moylan, chair of the mayor's Design Advisory Group, said: “Multi-functional spaces, where people can come escape the buzzing centre to perform, relax, eat and play, is exactly the sort of rejuvenation we want to see in Outer London.”
Councillor Keith Ferry, the council's deputy leader, added: “Harrow Council has provided over £2m to the regeneration of Harrow Town Centre, through improvements to St Ann’s Road, Havelock Place and now creating a new park and performance space for residents, students and people working in the Town Centre to enjoy.
“In the next five years, further investments will be made in the Heart of Harrow, which will provide new homes, public places, community facilities and commercial space.”
