PLANS for a £9 million transformation of Warrington’s iconic Peace Centre have been submitted to the borough council.
The proposals, which have been several years in the making, will result in the building becoming a centre for the provision of Post-16 and Post-19 education for children with special educational needs (SEND).
They will include classrooms, multi-purpose spaces, ancillary spaces, etc.
External facilities provided will include an all-weather walking track, horticultural learning area, playground, car parking for mini-buses and enlarged pick-up / drop-off spaces.
The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation will continue to occupy space within the building for office use and a multi-use space for occasional activities.
Expansion of the existing staff parking provision at the adjoining of St Gregory’s RC High School and provision of a safe drop-off and pick up area together with a turning circle along Peace Drive are also included in the proposals.
Although the cost of the project is likely to be considerably more than the £5.4 million originally estimated when it was first put forward it is still likely to be significantly less than the cost of acquiring a site and building a new centre to meet increasing demand for SEND provision.
It will also give the Peace Centre – which at one time was said to be at “critical risk” – a new future.
Cost of the scheme includes acquiring the Peace Centre building.
The Peace Centre was opened on March 20th 2000, the 7th anniversary of the Bridge Street bombing which killed Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball. It will always be a living memorial to the boys
Warrington Borough Council planning officers are now considering the proposals which will involve the demolition of part of the building.
