11 September 2006

The much-anticipated community centre at the heart of Wade Hall in Leyland is now open. New Progress Housing Association demolished the former shops and flats at Royal Drive last October to make way for the new building. Residents on the estate can now benefit from the £800 000 regeneration project, which will enable them to access state of the art community facilities and services.

The new community centre has been designed in consultation with various organisations and local residents and will provide a huge range of services to the local community including outreach services, adult learning opportunities, health and welfare services, meeting and IT facilities. A range of sports and social activities will be also on offer and rooms at the centre can be hired out for community activities or events. In addition to the new centre, there will be a convenience store and food outlet and a dedicated children's centre, which has been funded by Lancashire County Council.

To ensure the security of the area and of local residents, the centre is also monitored by CCTV and has been built to meet Secured By Design specifications.

The Leyland Project and Spurgeon's Child Care, who ran the former Family Centre on the old site, will manage the new community centre, which has been named the 'The Place' following a competition open to New Progress residents and staff.

Residents on the estate have welcomed the development with open arms after watching the gradual decline of the Royal Avenue facilities over the last few years. It is intended that the centre will become a new focus of the community, and an invaluable resource for all residents.

Comments Bernie Keenan, Managing Director of New Progress:
The opening is a significant milestone in the regeneration of Royal Avenue and we look forward to seeing the area restored to its former glory at the heart of the community.

'Both the community centre and children's centre will significantly benefit local families and we are extremely grateful for the hard work and commitment of all the partners and residents that have helped us get this far.'

New Progress Housing Association has funded the new community centre and shops at a total cost of £760k. South Ribble Borough Council has contributed a donation of £20,000 towards the new community centre whilst the County Council has funded the children's centre as part of the Government's Children's Centre initiative.

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