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Major leisure boost for Chorley
More than £600,000 is on its way to boost leisure facilities in Chorley with the opening of two new community facilities.
After an 18 month delay, a 525,000 community centre is set to open in Buckshaw Village and a further 145,000 has been spent on a new multi-use games area in one of Chorley's most deprived neighbourhoods.
The two sites have been welcomed by community leaders, who have campaigned for improvements in the area.
Chorley North County Councillor Mark Perks, cabinet member for young people, has been involved in both schemes.
He said: "The opening of the community centre has been long awaited and ever since I became councillor back in 2002 I have been pressing the planning authority and developers for the centre to be built as soon as possible.
"As chairman of the new Buckshaw Youth Association, our group are looking forward to being able to provide a programme of activities for young people."
The facility in Buckshaw Village will officially open its doors for the first time on June 7.
The state-of-the-art building, which will include two badminton courts, a meeting room and police base, was set to be completed before the 500th property on the development was built.
The centre will be open to a host of different groups as well as providing a base for PACT and resident association meetings.
Buckshaw Village resident Paul Thomas said: "The modern, state of the art facility will benefit not only the residents of Buckshaw Village, but also the wider Chorley and South Ribble community.
"I understand there has been much interest from groups wishing to book the centre. I'm sure it will be fully utilised.
"The opening of the centre will be shortly followed by the school, train station, shops and medical centre. Buckshaw Village has a very exciting future."
In Chorley East, young people are celebrating news that the run-down play area outside the Lord Street Young People's Center has been given a 145,000 makeover, including floodlights, football pitches and secure fencing.
It was done using cash which young people themselves secured from the government's Youth Capital Fund, with the help of Lancashire County Council's Young People's Service.
Coun Perks, who officially opened the site this week, said: "Young people worked hard on the funding bid to renovate the games area and now they are enjoying the results.
"Having somewhere safe, clean and with a proper playing surface means that young people can enjoy ball games in a proper environment. With the World Cup approaching, I shall expect to see aspiring teams on here every night."
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Weather for Chorley
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
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