Work to demolish the existing Darwen Youth Centre building to pave the way for a multi-million-pound transformation is now underway.
The scheme, which is being delivered by Bolton-based contractor Seddon, will see the new young people's hub on Gary Aspden Way double in size, adding a brand-new first floor.
Once completed the centre will boast a new creative workshop space, a recording and DJ studio, a gaming zone and multi-use spaces, as well as upgraded outdoor sports facilities. These amenities are expected to bring significant value to the local community, providing safe and interactive spaces for the youth of Derwen.
Darwen Youth Centre is one of five schemes across the borough to benefit from more than £8m of new funding secured by Blackburn with Darwen Council through the Government’s Youth Investment Fund, with further investment committed by the local authority too.
Councillor Julie Gunn, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “We are absolutely determined that our young people should have access to the very best facilities we can provide and it’s exciting to see this work at Darwen Youth Centre get underway.
“Our teams worked incredibly hard to secure the new funding from Government and it’s a fantastic opportunity to double the size of the youth centre with extra investment committed by the council too.
“There’s no doubt that it will be hugely beneficial to our young people – facilities like this and the services they provide can transform lives, we already see the huge impact that they have in our borough.
“We’re on a real mission at the council to ensure every child and young person in the borough has the opportunity to fulfil their potential – we truly believe that no one should be left behind and this is a part of us achieving that.”
Seddon has already been on site to clear and secure the site in anticipation of the demolition of the building. This is the first major development project that the construction company has undertaken in the town.
Originally, it had been hoped that at least some of the structure could be saved, but detailed surveys showed that the existing foundations wouldn’t support the planned additional level.
Pete McKinley, Commercial Director at Seddon Property Services, said: “We are delighted to have started work in Darwen. The scheme has been a dream of the Council for a long time and we’re proud to be helping them transform the site at the heart of Darwen town centre. The new building will provide much needed space for the town’s younger population and will have a positive impact on the next generations for years to come.”
The scheme is just one of many town centre projects planned for new investment. Through the Darwen Town Deal and further Council investment, Darwen Market, Darwen Library and Darwen Library Theatre will benefit from major new investment. Together with the youth centre, there’s £25m of planned new funding for the town centre.
And the Government has also just confirmed up to £20m of new investment for the town through their new Plan for Neighbourhoods.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Chair of the Darwen Town Deal Board, added: “Darwen is benefitting from huge amounts of new investment with more to come, and we know it’s crucial that there are opportunities within that for our young people.
“We also work hard to make every penny count in our borough, bidding for new Government funding where it exists – funding like this which will help us completely transform the youth centre and double it in size.
“In the past year, we’ve also invested in the playgrounds at Whitehall Park and Bold Venture too – again to benefit our children and young people here and for our families.
“I can’t wait to open the doors to the new youth centre and show our young people the end result.”
This latest collaboration strengthens Seddon’s successful track record of delivering transformative regeneration projects to town centres. Seddon recently completed works on the key landmark, Bolton Market and has since been selected to deliver the regeneration of Birkenhead Market.