Major work is ongoing to renovate a long-standing community organisation in Keighley, after almost a quarter of a million pounds worth of funding.
The Sangat Centre received £230,000 from the government-funded Keighley Towns Fund for essential refurbishments to its Marlborough Street premises and work has been ongoing since Summer last year.
The centre has been based in the old Victorian building for more than 20 years and the venue was in urgent need of modernisation. Structural work has already been undertaken including the replacement of a section of the roof, the installation of a new floor as well as a new heating system.
Riasat Ali, Sangat Centre Manager, said: “The electrics are currently being upgraded and work has now started on the installation of the new mezzanine level and refurbishment of the toilets.
“Previously, the building needed constant repairs and we were continually having to patch up leaks such as water pouring through the roof, as well as dealing with ongoing heating, boiler and electrical issues. We are so grateful for the funding which means we can do the work at once, instead of piecemeal and we’ve been using local tradespeople, to put the money back into the area.”
The redevelopment will enable the association to continue to offer social day care, adult education activities, youth activities, holiday play schemes and other services to the hundreds of people it sees each week.
Liz Barker, Acting Chair of the Keighley Towns Fund board, said: “Keighley residents deserve a building that reflects the character of the local community – a building which works well and which people can be proud of for years to come.
“This renovation means the Sangat Centre can function more efficiently and effectively for the people it serves. Supporting the community in this way is a vital part of the work of the Keighley Towns Fund.”
Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, said: “Money from the Keighley Towns Fund means the Sangat Centre will be modernised so it’s energy efficient, meets the digital and online needs of service users and means it can provide an accessible, practical environment for an extensive range of crucial community services.”
The Sangat Centre has also received £140,000 of match funding towards the refurbishment from the Community Ownership Fund.
