A former Scout hut at the centre of a row over plans to lease it to a Muslim group has reopened as a community building.
The Forgotten Estates group has refurbished the property, in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, and named it The 55th, after the Scout group that once met there.
Volunteers Dave Hurst, Kris Kott, Chris Hopewell and Vinny Cooper, who gave many hours of their time to the refurbishment, cut a red ribbon on Saturday to reopen the building, in Nursery Road.
Dave, 42, a tiler, said: "It's not about us four, it's about the whole community.
"This opening shows how strong this community is and what can be achieved when everyone pulls together."
Kris, 34, a self-employed property maintenance worker, said he was amazed at the goodwill generated by the project.
"We had people from all trades coming along and pitching in – all for free," he said.
The Forgotten Estates group was formed to oppose city council plans to allow the As-Salaam Muslim community group to take over the hut.
The council rethought the idea after months of protest by residents outside the nearby Thurnby Lodge Community Centre, where members of As-Salaam have met for prayers for the past three years.
After the rethink, city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby agreed the Forgotten Estates committee would be given the lease on the hut for two years, rent-free.
As-Salaam was offered another council-owned building, the Raven Centre, next to Thurnby Lodge Community Centre.
At the opening of The 55th on Saturday, Thurnby Lodge resident Karen Yorke, 43, said she was delighted to see the building finally reopened.
She said: "This community has been crying out for a facility like this.
"The 55th will give us a focus and allow us to stage community events to bring the estate even closer together."
Karen's 12-year-old daughter, Jade, said the building would benefit her and her friends. Jade, a pupil at St Paul's Catholic School, in Evington, said: "There is nothing around here for people my age, so this is going to be brilliant."
Dylan Smith, eight, said his ninth birthday party was already booked at the hut.
"I can't wait," he said. "It is going to be awesome to be here with my mates."
Barbara Starmer, treasurer of The 55th, said the reopening was the end of a long, hard road, "but it has been worth it".
Janice French, main fund-raiser at The 55th, said: "It's fantastic.
"You only have to look around to see the children's smiling faces to know how much this means to this community."
Councillor Luis Fonseca said he was delighted to see the building being used again.
"It is a great facility," he said. "Everyone has done well to get it open."
The hut was open on Saturday from 10 until 6pm, with a free bouncy castle, free disco, refreshments and free live music.
The committee plans to lease the building out to clubs and community groups.
