BOROUGH chiefs have handed over the keys for a state-of-the-art community centre in Neston.
The new £1.1 million Neston Resource Centre is the culmination of several years’ work to create a top class community facility for the town and was an integral part of the Neston Market Town Initiative.
Funded by £650,000 from the borough council and £450,000 from the North West Development Agency, the centre has been handed over to a limited company set up especially to run the building.
The centre won’t be fully fitted out until December but the handing over of the keys from the council to Neston Community Youth Centre Ltd marked a momentous landmark in its development.
Neston’s original youth club in Burton Road was bulldozed to make way for the specially designed resource centre, which will house:
- Three all-purpose rooms for adult education, family learning, exercise, community and social activities
- A computer suite for internet access, IT training and education
- Fully equipped kitchens for functions and staff
- A specially designed youth zone with social area, pool table, television and kitchen area all with its own entrance
- And smaller rooms to be used for a variety of advice and guidance services.
Leader of the borough council, Cllr Justin Madders, said: “We are delighted this major project has come to fruition.
“It demonstrates what can be achieved when the community works with us to meet the recognised needs of local people.
“It is very satisfying to hand the keys over and we look forward to the resource centre establishing itself as an important facility at the heart of the community in Neston.”
Peter Weston, director of Neston Community Youth Centre Ltd, said: “This is the flagship project of the Neston Market Town Initiative in partnership with Neston Community Youth Centre Ltd.
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of many volunteers assisted by our funding partners.
“I hope the residents of the area will benefit for many years from the facilities provided by it.”
The official opening of the resource centre is expected to take place in December.
