A FORMER golf club is being transformed into an activity centre for young people.

Keighley District Scouts will run the facility, at the old Riddlesden course.

The centre will cater for young people from across the community, not just Scouting members.

An asset transfer is currently being negotiated with Bradford Council, which owns the site.

Work is already underway on repairing and refurbishing the buildings, which have suffered at the hands of vandals.

"There's quite a bit of damage which we're sorting out at the moment," said Scouts district commissioner, Jeanette Young.

"We'll then be upgrading the buildings, to include disabled-accessible bunkhouses, an activity/meeting room, toilets, showers etc."

A huge range of activities will be offered at the site, from camping and grass sledging to archery.

There will also be training and environmental studies.

The Low Wood Activity Centre, which it is hoped will be up and running by next Easter, has been hailed as a "hugely exciting" scheme for Keighley.

"It will give all young people a fantastic opportunity," added Mrs Young.

"We do not currently have a facility like this in the district.

"As well as taking part in adventurous activities and learning new skills, the area has an abundance of wildlife which young people can study."

She pays tribute to several people and organisations who are backing the scheme, including MP John Grogan, ward councillors and Keighley Town Council.

And she praises council officers Ben Middleton and Nigel Gillatt for help they've provided.

"People have been absolutely brilliant," said Mrs Young.

"We have had so much support, and it's appreciated."

Mr Grogan has been pushing for the scheme and was involved in several meetings.

"The activity centre will be open not just to Scouts but will also be available to be booked by other youth organisations and schools," he said.

"This will be the most exciting new facility for young people in Keighley in a generation.

"I am impressed both by the vision and ambition of Keighley District Scouts and by the determination of senior Bradford councillors and officers to make this happen.

"Preliminary work has already started and as a result anti-social behaviour in the area has declined significantly."

Much of the work is being carried out by volunteers.

Riddlesden Golf Club – founded in 1927 – closed early last year, blaming dwindling membership and increased expenditure.