Partner Article

£400k centre re-vamp centre regenerates community

A North East architectural firm is celebrating the official opening of a County Durham community centre following a major refurbishment project to help regenerate the area. Working with the Hazelwell Centre in Haswell, Browne Smith Baker (BSB) has transformed the existing 1980s building to help regenerate the community by creating a number of multi-function rooms and sport facilities.

Ray Nugent, BSB technical director, said: “The facility has been given a new lease of life for the local community to take ownership of and be proud of. “We have helped in delivering a bright welcoming space for the community to meet and participate in five-aside on the new multi games surface together with other organised sports to create social inclusion for all ages.”

Along with a main hall, office facilities and servery, the £400,000 refurbishment has created a multi-use games area and changing facilities.

The Haswell community was severely hit by the demise of deep coal mining, which left a legacy of poor health, low educational achievement and high levels of unemployment.

Findings from a feasibility study in 2006 highlighted that the centre no longer met the needs of users. With funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Urban II and Haswell Regeneration Partnership, the Community Association which runs the centre decided to create a welcoming centre for everyone in the community.

Alan Liversidge, of the Community Association, said: “Since the centre was built it has sustained itself, however, after more than 27 years of continuous use it had become tired and worn. The refurbishment and construction of the mutli games area is more modern and will increase community spirit.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .