PLANS for a £9 million transformation of Warrington’s iconic Peace Centre will come before the borough’s development management committee tomorrow (Thursday).
The proposals have already been studied by planning officers who have indicated they are minded to approve them.
But the scheme will come before councillors because part of the site is owned by the borough council.
The scheme, which has 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.
An existing basketball court will have to be lost to make way for additional parking, but officers say this is acceptable.
One objection has been received from a neighbour concerned about highways issues.
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 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 20, 2000, the 7th anniversary of the Bridge Street bombing which killed Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball. I f the plan is approved it will remain a living memorial to the boys
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