Work is set to begin this week on the site for a new village hall on the edge of Norwich.
Community leaders in Easton have been working on the project in recent years, with the large site in Marlingford Road, at the junction with Hall Road, set to benefit many groups.
Planning permission was granted in September and it is hoped that work on the £1.9m scheme will conclude in the autumn of 2023.
Vice chairman of the village's parish council, Peter Milliken, said: “A positive impact will be introduced to the growing Easton Parish Council community across all ages and ability groups.
“The community centre will also encourage intergenerational mixing with different groups of people and abilities."
The new building is needed as the village, near the Norfolk Showground, is expected to expand from 600 homes to 1,500 over the next few years, increasing demand on local facilities.
Mr Milliken said the new building will include: “A main hall, two separate meeting rooms, a lounge, a bar which services the lounge and meeting rooms.
“Also included will be a lending library, a commercial grade kitchen and EV charging.”
The centre will also provide 24-hour blue light access where emergency services are able to have a shower and a hot drink close to the A47.
The community centre is also being built with sustainability in mind, with solar panels and air-source heat pumps.
Mr. Milliken explained: “The hall is designed to be a relief centre able to operate off the grid for an extended period, creating resilience for the community.
“With a low carbon footprint and low maintenance costs, it will combine new building and green environmental technologies to create a community hub that is truly sustainable and able to serve the area for many years to come.”
With the project currently coming in at £300,000 more than anticipated, it is hoped by working with new companies the cost can be brought down.
Mr Milliken added: “We are receiving two grants: £505,000 from the Greater Norwich Growth Board and a grant of £500,000 from the South Norfolk District Council Co-Investment Grant Fund.
“Easton Parish Council will be investing around £850,000 from its share of the community infrastructure funds."
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