A LONG awaited, state of the art, £1m plus community centre is due to be officially opened next month (December).

The keys to the new centre in Neston have been handed over by Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council.

It is to be run by a new company, Neston Community Youth Centre Ltd.

The brand new 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 will not be fully fitted out until next month.

The handing over of the keys is said to mark a “momentous landmark” in its development.

Neston’s original youth club in Burton Road was bulldozed to make way for the specially designed building.

It has three all-purpose rooms for adult education, family learning, exercise, community and social activities, a computer suite for internet access, IT training and education and fully equipped kitchens for functions and staff.

A specially designed youth zone has its own social area, pool table, television and kitchen, with a separate entrance and there are smaller rooms to be used for a range of advice and guidance services.

“We are delighted that this major project has come to fruition,” commented borough council leader Cllr Justin Madders (Lab, Ledsham).

“It demonstrates what can be achieved when the community works with the council 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.”

One of the directors of Neston Community Youth Centre Ltd, Peter Weston described the scheme as the flagship project of the market town initiative in partnership with the new company.

“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of many volunteers assisted by our funding partners,” he said.

“I hope the residents of the area will benefit for many years from the facilities provided by it.”