MAJOR work is ongoing to renovate a long-standing community organisation's building in Keighley, after almost a quarter of a million pounds worth of funding.

The Sangat Centre received £230,000 from the government-funded Keighley Towns Fund for essential refurbishments to its Marlborough Street premises and work has been ongoing since Summer.

The centre has been based in the Victorian building for over 20 years and the venue was in need of modernisation. Structural work has already been undertaken including the replacement of a section of the roof, the installation of a new floor as well as a new heating system.

Riasat Ali, Sangat Centre Manager, said: “The electrics are currently being upgraded and work has now started on the installation of the new mezzanine level and refurbishment of the toilets.

“Previously, the building needed constant repairs and we were continually having to patch up leaks such as water pouring through the roof, as well as dealing with ongoing heating, boiler and electrical issues. We are so grateful for the funding which means we can do the work at once, instead of piecemeal.”

The redevelopment will enable the association to continue to offer social day care, adult education activities, youth activities, holiday play schemes and other services to the hundreds of people it sees each week.

The Sangat Centre has also received £140,000 of match funding towards the refurbishment from the Community Ownership Fund.