Lochgelly Centre getting ready to take centre stage again

THE new look Lochgelly Centre is moving ever closer to beginning its new life.

Work to transform the centre into a bright, modern and attractive space has been completed and the enhanced facility will be officially opened to the community on February 14 2012.

But locals won’t need to wait until then to see inside the Centre as finishing touches are now being made inside with staff now in the building preparing for a “soft” opening on January 23rd.

That week, the library, local office information services, box office and café will open for the public with other services, including the theatre, arts classes and ICT Centre set to open in the weeks leading up to the official opening.

The new Centre is bigger and better than ever before and will give Fifers the chance to access a wide range of council services in addition to the theatre and arts classes it’s already well known for.

A new single storey glass fronted extension houses the modern library and reception area with the existing building fully refurbished to include a revised layout of the café, toilets and meeting facilities.

The heating and ventilation systems for the theatre, sports hall and studio have also been replaced with an energy efficient plant.

Councillor Brian Goodall, Chair of the Housing and Communities committee, said:

“2012 will be the beginning of the Lochgelly Centre’s new life and I’m sure it will still remain at the heart of the community. There will be more on offer than ever before and I’m really looking forward to the Centre opening its doors once again.”

Councillor Willie Clarke chair of the Cowdenbeath Area Committee added: “I’m sure that the community will be really impressed with the new facility. I hope more people than ever before will visit it and make use of it and that the new Lochgelly Centre will help play a part in the regeneration of the town centre.”

The facility will be managed by ON at Fife on behalf of Fife Council.

Stuart Cross, Chairman of ON at Fife, said: “All our staff are delighted that the Lochgelly Centre is so close to opening. I extend a very warm welcome to the whole community to pop in from 23rd January onwards and to join us for the full opening on 14th Februaryso that they can meet the staff and see the improvements we’ve made.”

As part of Fife Council’s Customer Management Programme, a series of refurbishment projects will provide customers with a modern welcoming environment.

The moves will also mean the council can use the buildings it owns more efficiently and continue the process of getting rid of surplus buildings.

Glenrothes was the first in line for a refurbishment and opened to the public in January.

We have since refurbished and integrated facilities in Methil, Oakley, Leven and Valleyfield as part of a wider rolling programme.

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