Portobello community centre gets a grand makeover

A community centre in Wakefield is getting a £30,000 makeover, thanks to a partnership of organisations who are involved in regenerating the area.

The Portobello Community Centre is benefiting from extensive improvements, which are being delivered by Bramall working as Keepmoat, NPS and Wakefield and District Housing. The funding has come from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and being managed by Groundwork Wakefield.

The organisations stepped into improve the dilapidated building after a request from the Portobello Community Forum for help to restore it.

The five-week refurbishment project, which started this month, will include new roofing, fascias and guttering, damp proof course to the walls and floor, new kitchens and toilets, new central heating and carpet. The building will also be re-plastered and redecorated. Once complete, the centre will be used for a range of activities including, pensioners' lunch clubs, dance classes, youth clubs and toddler groups.

Forum Chair Sally Martin said: "We've been working for two years to raise the support we have needed to improve this centre, and we're absolutely delighted that the partners have helped us out.

"All the partners have played their part - and we couldn't have done this without them! We're looking forward to seeing the end result and are planning a big launch for the centre in July."

Keepmoat is currently carrying out massive refurbishment work to houses in the area on behalf of Wakefield and District Housing. Work on the Portobello estate has involved a £9.5 million refurbishment of 500 homes to bring them up to the Wakefield Standard. Refurbishment is also currently being carried out on the Belle Vue Estate, where a £3.5 million programme of refurbishment began last October.

Nick O'Connor, Partnering Manager, at Bramall, said: "Bramall is of course playing a vital part in improving social housing in Wakefield, but we're also keen to get involved with community regeneration in the area. When we were approached to help out the community centre it seemed a great opportunity to do that.

"By the end of the five week period the residents of Portobello will have a community centre they can be proud of."