PLANS for a £1.5 million neighbourhood community hub for Bewsey and Dallam, Warrington have moved a step closer.
LiveWire, on behalf of the Delivering Wellbeing Project Board, have submitted plans for the community hub which will provide a range of activities to address health and wellbeing inequalities in the area.
Warrington Borough Council has committed to providing £1 million of funding for the new building from its capital investment programme, while Housing group Torus have pledged £300,000 and neighbourhood wellbeing company, LiveWire will fund £200,000. The funding from the three organisations will cover the first phase of the project while LiveWire will apply for grants from funding bodies to cover phase two.
Phase one of the project will see a fitness suite, studio, smart library, IT suites and rooms for community activities built within the three-storey building. Plans for phase two include a learner hydro-therapy pool and an extra wing which will provide health care provision. If LiveWire manages to secure funding for phase two, the additions to the building will see a £2.7 million hub developed.
The community hub will be a welcome addition to the area as residents are already benefiting from new changing rooms for sports teams, the Multi Use Games Area on Dallam playing fields, and a more personalised service from the Harrison Square pharmacy which opened earlier this year.
Activities provided in the building would include supporting community groups, training volunteers, the Activator and Grey to Green programmes, cancer awareness using the iVan, a range of mental health training courses for residents and partners and one-to-one support from the wellbeing service.
The facility would also provide open, public community space for the residents of Bewsey and Dallam with additional external facilities such as a playground, recreation space and allotments.
Services in the community hub will be delivered by LiveWire and other local partners including Culture Warrington, who will provide a neighbourhood art and heritage offer and Warrington Borough Council, who will provide a job club and support to maximise family income.
The plans for the new facility have been created following overwhelming support from the local community with consultation taking place over several years. A need for a community hub that focuses on health and wellbeing was clear in a recent survey which showed that residents in Bewsey and Dallam felt they needed more support and opportunities to access job vacancies, libraries and leisure facilities in their neighbourhoods. They also felt there was a need for more dentistry services within the area.
The plans will be considered by Warrington Borough Council’s planning committee in the New Year. If they are approved, construction work will begin at the site on Longshaw Street in Spring 2016, with an estimated completion date of early 2017. LiveWire hopes to employ local people to run the centre with eight jobs set to be created when the hub opens. 
Cllr Kate Hannon, (pictured right) executive board member for leisure, community and culture, said: “The council has invested in facilities to improve this community and is committed to building on this success as our vision is all about creating a place to be proud of, protecting and supporting vulnerable residents and building strong, active and resilient communities.
It’s fantastic to see that so many residents are behind these plans which will significantly benefit the areas of Bewsey and Dallam by providing residents with their own community facility to provide a wide range of health and wellbeing services in their neighbourhood. Our Health and Wellbeing Strategy identifies that integrated facilities have a real positive impact, so I’m confident that this facility will help us meet our objective of ensuring Warrington residents lead healthy and happy lifestyles.”
Jan Souness, (pictured right) managing director of LiveWire and Culture Warrington, said: “LiveWire are proud to be submitting plans for this community facility to serve the people of Bewsey and Dallam. Thank you to everyone who participated in the consultation exercise, the positive response we’ve received has been overwhelming. This integrated facility will allow LiveWire and Culture Warrington to build on the work we already carry out in both areas to improve the lives of residents.”
Torus growth director, Steve Moore, said: “Torus is proud to be investing in such an innovative facility which will support our residents in Bewsey and Dallam to lead happier and healthier lifestyles. One of our aims is to provide more opportunities and better futures for the communities we serve, and we believe that Bewsey and Dallam Hub will offer a whole wealth of activities that will improve the wellbeing of our customers.”
