A BRAND NEW community centre in Kelty is set to open late next year, with work expected to begin as soon as October.

Proposals to demolish the existing community centre, to build a brand new community hub facility in Kelty, were approved by the West planning committee.

The transformation of the site includes an extension to Kelty Primary School as well as partial refurbishment to the school building, and plans have been in the pipeline for some time now after the £7.2m project was announced.

The new centre is set for a user accessible kitchen, learning suite, creche and purpose-built youth club as well as top notch sports facilities, including a hall, fitness suite and 4G pitch at Central Park.

“The new facilities will provide a welcome boost to Kelty, and the decision has been met with positive reaction,” Gary Daniell, community resources team leader, said, “The project has been moving at pace. There was a community consultation which we had positive feedback from, and then the planning permission has now come forward.

“The new centre should be demolished this October with the new centre being in use by sometime between October and December 2015.” “We’re really pleased - there will be a range of services on offer - a library, local office, and community centre.

“It’s a dual purpose facility as the school will have access to vastly improved sports and recreation facilities, such as a new pitch and dance studio, and the wider community can also benefit.” Councillor Willie Clarke said, “This is a tremendous step towards the completion of the new community centre and it is great news for Kelty residents. On we go to providing for the needs of the people of Kelty. It’s been talked about and now it’s going into action and it will be exciting when people see it under construction.”