Meeting point Balsby

The project idea was to renovate the clubhouse in Balsby to create a meeting place where different community groups can meet and exchange experiences at the crossroads between city and countryside.

Balsby is a popular place to move into with a scenic location. In a development plan, Balsby SK identified a need for village cohesion and togetherness across generations, as well as for activities to be offered in the local area. In order to become a meeting place for these wishes, the existing clubhouse was renovated and the area was developed into a multi-activity area with more courts and a barbecue area.

In the project, the club wanted to take advantage of the vitality, energy and will that they saw in Balsby and create opportunities for integration on several different levels: urban-rural, between different social and cultural groups and between different age groups. During the renovation, the project owner managed to spread knowledge and cohesion through non-profit labor. The project laid the foundation for a natural meeting place for a wonderful mix of the village's residents. During the project period, several different types of activities have been organized: garden days, triathlon, running competition, tailgate raffle, Walpurgis fair celebration and family cycling with barbecue to name a few. Around the football field, a youth activity with a café has been started.

There is now a clubhouse where groups of up to 30 people have access to a meeting room, toilet, shower and kitchen as well as overnight accommodation. The goal, to be able to offer a quality facility that is interesting for IFK Kristianstad, Kristianstad Triathlon Club, OK Pan and others and in good enough condition to rent out to members for money for maintenance, has been achieved. Accessibility adaptation has been implemented.

At the beginning of the project, the clubhouse was marked by many years of wear and tear and a leaking roof, which meant that it was not safe to use and could no longer be rented out. This deterioration led to fewer activities being arranged, and the commitment among members had begun to decline. Activity around the club and the clubhouse was so low that the club was on the verge of closing down.

The renovation project has helped to re-create engagement and there is a good base to build on. With the physical meeting place in place in Balsby, focus is now on further development and a communication and marketing plan has been developed to reach out to more people.

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The project has a clear goal of creating a meeting place in Balsby that is missing today, where different target groups, both young and old, with different interests, can meet and share experiences with each other in joint activities. There are plans for collaboration with residents and businesses in nearby areas and also with the city of Kristianstad and its suburbs. The project intends to build opportunities for new activities that are innovative and can be identity-creating for the town. The association has a well-organized structure with skills in many areas that provide good conditions for a successful implementation of the project. The project fits well into the strategy for Skånes Ess and contributes most to the goals within the priority area of cross-connections.