Wakefield Council set to begin multi-million pound revamp of Kellingley Club

The council said it wants to "provide a facility for local people that will be at the very heart of the community".

The modernisation of the 57-year old building, which is partly funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will deliver a community hub that will be the go-to place in the town for individuals to develop their work skills, improve employability, gain education and training while entrepreneurs can access help for start-ups and business networks.

The project includes the renovation of the building’s pavilion which will expand its offer for residents to participate in a range of sports activities and health and wellbeing initiatives. It will also bring the first digital café to Knottingley.

Once completed, the newly revitalised and refurbished much-loved community building will host a wealth of events and functions to celebrate heritage and community spirit through galas, fairs and family occasions along with open days to help promote activities and support services available for local people of all ages in their local community.

Coun Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Poverty, said: “We know that the club is already the beating heart of the community and we have worked in partnership with the trustees of the club to make sure these refurbishment works will make it an even greater asset.

“The revitalised facility will enable local people to take part in activities including sport and health boosting initiatives as well as access within their local area to advice and support to help build work skills.

“It will help residents and businesses alike by upgrading local infrastructure and boosting skills, which in turn will create jobs and improve the lives of local people.”

Coun Denise Jeffrey, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Investment Committee and Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “The refurbished community building will provide local residents with the opportunity to access better jobs, gain education and training, as well as offering advice to entrepreneurs who want to start their own businesses or expand their business networks.

“It’s vitally important that we invest into local community projects such as this one, because they can act as the gateway for people to improve their lives. The Combined Authority will continue to support projects which benefit our communities, boost the local economy and unlock our region’s wider potential.”

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has secured £1million for the project from the Government’s Getting Building Fund. The council has contributed a further £3million.

The Knottingley Community Hub is one of the first built-environment projects under the Knottingley Masterplan which is designed to grow the local economy, improve housing, recreation and sports for the town and provide a better quality of life for its residents.

Renovation work to reconfigure the former Kellingley Club on Marine Villa Drive starts on March 15 and is scheduled to be completed in August 2022.