Major revamp at Smethwick centre to add space for events
A Smethwick Community centre is going to undergo a £750,000 revamp to provide more space for community activities.
The Brasshouse Lane Community Centre will undergo a complete refurbishment and it will have a new reception and entrance and the community hall will be extended.
The plans for the work have been submitted by the North Smethwick Development Trust for Sandwell Council for approval.
The Trust delivers a variety of activities and services at the centre that include a combination of social enterprises and community projects and services.
The plans for the centre include remodelling and refurbishing the whole building and they plan to extend the centre, to provide a new reception and entrance and an extension to the community hall.
In a report to council chiefs said: "The increased volume of the main entrance area creates a dynamic space, which increases the prominence and drama of the entrance. The scale of the building will remain similar to the surrounding buildings."
The refurbishment will see the building re-clad and re-roofed, and new windows will be fitted. The Trust states the aim is not only to refresh the building but also to improve its performance and reduce energy consumption. The report states: "The extension provides the opportunity to reface the building giving it a new identity and presenting a more inviting frontage."
The community centre will have a main entrance, a meeting room, cafe, kitchen, community room and lounge. the area around the centre will also be revamped.
The Trust has also set aside space for vegetable plots and sitting spaces outside the centre, and the Trust hopes the gardens will be developed over time to provide activity space outside.
Chief Executive of the Trust, Sue Howarth said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to provide excellent and improved facilities for the people of Smethwick."
