Rose Lund Centre extension complete despite the crunch (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Rose Lund Centre extension complete despite the crunch

March 24, 2009 12:00 AM

Extension work at the Rose Lund Centre in Rothwell was completed last week and is due to be signed off and opened to the public shortly.

The centre serves as a meeting venue and as a place for the Early Years and Youth Service to deliver its programme of activities for local children, young people and families. Rose Lund is adjacent to two football pitches and also provides a welcome home for Rothwell Town Football Club.

The £225,000 extension contains four new changing rooms and a kitchen area. This will help extend football services so the club can operate simultaneously on the two pitches, meaning that four teams will now be able to play at the same time. This will also support the growing number of girls wishing to play football, providing them with much needed facilities.

It hasn't been entirely plain sailing for the development. Plans were thrown into jeopardy last year when the developer at the site pulled out half way through, citing difficulties caused by the recession. Fortunately the council stepped in to ensure work on the project was completed.

The extension was welcomed by the three ward councillors who have been working to raise funds and get the project moving for the past four years.

Cllr Stewart Golton (Lib Dem Rothwell) said:

"The John O'Gaunts area is going from strength to strength. The extension will provide extra space to carry out more activities and help bring the community together."

Cllr Steve Smith (Lib Dem, Rothwell), and Chair of the John O'Gaunts Neighbourhood Improvement Programme said:

"The Rose Lund centre is a cornerstone of the community in Rothwell. This extension will complement other regeneration plans for the ward and give local people an area they can be proud of. I would like to thank everyone involved who has helped to get this project completed."

Cllr Donald Wilson (Lib Dem, Rothwell) said:

"We are all extremely happy that work has finally been completed. The programme has taken longer than expected to complete as the developer had to pull out due to the credit crunch. Thankfully the council intervened to get things moving again and made sure the work got finished."