Janine GriffithsA much-loved community centre in Burmantofts has been brought back to life following a major renovation, providing a permanent home for a Leeds charity tackling poverty.
Ebor Gardens Community Centre has reopened after standing empty for 18 months, with improvements designed to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.
The council-owned building will now provide a permanent base for Project Hope Leeds, which supports disadvantaged families and individuals.
The charity helps people develop educational skills, improve their wellbeing and make healthier lifestyle choices.
Ian Kenning, locality manager at Leeds City Council, said: “Ebor Gardens Community Centre is a much-loved community space in Burmantofts. The Community Asset Transfer of the building from The Council to Project Hope Leeds will breathe new life into the centre ensuring that it once again becomes the hub of the local community. Improving the EPC rating was essential for us to progress the lease with Project Hope Leeds.”
The renovation, carried out by Leeds-based engineering company G&H, has improved the building’s energy performance rating from F to B.
Its old gas heating system has been replaced with electric heating and cooling, while additional roof insulation will help prevent heat loss.
Solar panels and battery storage are expected to generate around 30,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually, cutting electricity costs by more than a third.
The improvements could also reduce the building’s original carbon emissions by almost 80 per cent.
Gosia Denham, project manager at Project Hope Leeds, said: “We initially used Ebor Gardens Community Centre ten years ago when it was a fully functioning building. It was a great space to hold our various community groups. When it closed, we struggled to find a suitable long-term permanent home and relied on the generosity of local schools and other community venues. It’s incredible to be back and for all our activity groups to run in a comfortable and cost-effective environment. The ability to hire the space out to other organisations and individuals will enable us to generate further income that can be invested back into supporting those most disadvantaged in our community.”
The renovated centre can accommodate playgroups, after-school clubs, evening classes, private parties and local theatre groups.
Different areas can operate independently, allowing several community activities to take place.
The charity also hopes to generate additional income by hiring out the space.
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