Blacon tower block to house £200,000 healthy living centre

Nov 11 2010 by Allison Dickinson, Chester Chronicle

A BLACON tower block will house a £200,000 healthy living centre.

Work has begun on the ground floor of Plas Dinas to provide a facility which will be the hub of a network of activities and services promoting health and wellbeing throughout the city.

The centre will offer a variety of services ranging from cookery classes through to Indian head massage and other holistic therapies currently offered by Well Blacon.

The refurbishment is expected to be completed by the end of the month with an official launch planned for the new Centre on December 15.

Its design includes a health library, three multi-purpose rooms and a purpose-built teaching kitchen to run community cooking classes where people can learn about cooking healthy affordable meals.

Local representatives involved in the Healthy Living Centre project paid a site visit to see how building work was progressing.

Julie Webster, director of public health for Western Cheshire, said:

“We know that early death from diseases such as heart attacks, and stroke can be prevented by people stopping smoking, eating more healthily and taking more exercise.

“I am delighted to see the new centre taking shape in the heart of Blacon where it can become part and parcel of the life of local communities.

“The development is a long-term investment in local people's health and well being.”

Volunteers are needed to work with staff at the centre in a variety of roles. For more information, visit www. lhlc.co.uk, email wc-pct. ChesterHLC@nhs.net or call 01244 650387 during office hours from Monday to Thursday.