In a significant development for the Hunslet area of Leeds, Dudleys Consulting Engineers has started work on a new £3.4 million community hub project. This initiative is designed to replace the old Cockburn Sports Hall with a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to leisure, health, and wellbeing.
This project not only promises to rejuvenate the area but also to nurture community spirit and provide essential services to local residents.
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The Project Vision
The old 1960s building, previously the Cockburn Sports Hall, is being renovated by Hamara Healthy Living Centre into a 10,615 sq ft modern community hub. This ambitious project will include a variety of facilities aimed at improving the community’s access to sports, health, and social services.
These will include a multi-use sports hall, fully accessible changing facilities, storage spaces for equipment, and an outdoor games area. Additional amenities will feature a café, spaces for community gatherings, training rooms, a viewing gallery, and offices, all designed to support and engage the local community.
Hamara: A Pillar of Community Support
Hamara, meaning ‘Our’ in Urdu, stands as Leeds’ largest ethnic minority organization within the voluntary and community sector. Employing 36 people, Hamara offers a range of services including health promotion, youth activities, and programs for older people, those with learning disabilities, and other educational and employment training programs.
The new Cockburn Centre is envisioned as a sustainable community enterprise, led by adults with learning disabilities and supported by local volunteers, showing Hamara’s commitment to inclusivity and community growth.
Collaborative Efforts and Funding
The project has been supported by a variety of funding sources, notably including The Football Foundation and the Community Ownership Fund from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. These contributions have been crucial in making this community-enhancing project possible. Dudleys has played a critical role, not only in securing planning consent but also in addressing the unique civil and structural challenges presented by the site, which is influenced by its localized mining history and protected area.
Dudleys’ Role and Expertise
As a key consultant on the project, Dudleys has collaborated with other experts including architects Studio RBA, services consultant Shearstone, project managers Spring & Co, landscape architect Urban Green, and main contractor NU Construction. Their combined efforts are set to begin this summer, focusing on providing technically proficient and economically sound solutions to ensure the project not only meets but surpasses its intended goals.
Peter Dixon, Director at Dudleys, emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting charitable causes and its enthusiasm about the progress at the new Cockburn Centre. Dudleys, with over 15 years of experience and a diverse portfolio including clients like Leeds Bradford Airport and Leeds United Football Club, is committed to delivering high-quality civil and structural engineering solutions across the UK.
This project stands as a symbol of community development and support, promising to improve the quality of life for the residents of Hunslet and beyond, showcasing the power of collaboration and commitment to social welfare and community growth.
You can view the original press release here.
