A NEW Sikh place of worship which took eight years to build will finally open this Friday (Nov 19).
The Guru Nanak Marg Gurdwara situated off Saddington Street in Gravesend has cost £12 million so far, and includes three worship halls, a dining hall, kitchen and main lobby. A lecture theatre, library and creche are due to be added by April 2011 at an estimated cost of £1.5 million.
President of the Gurdwara management committee, Jaspal Singh Dhesi, said: “This is a momentous occasion for the community, showing the result of an enormous achievement over the last eight years, which the whole town should be proud of.
“The new Gurdwara complex is one of the largest outside India, and gives Gravesend an international landmark that will be here to serve many generations.”
The existing Gurdwara in Clarence Place opened in 1969 and will now be demolished and replaced with 19 flats after controversial plans were agreed by Gravesham Council in November last year.
The council agreed to the demolition despite pressure from campaign group SAVE, who asked English Heritage to give the building Grade II listed status.
The Gurdwara management committee sold the old building to Thamesview Living for £3 million to raise money for the new Gurdwara after failing to find a use for the existing building. The new Gurdwara has been financed entirely through fundraising and donations from its congregation.
This Friday a service will be held at the existing Gurdwara at 8am to say goodbye to the old building, followed by a procession to the new site at 9am.
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