Families in Great Horton were jubilant today as contractors moved in to begin work on a huge inner city community complex.

The £3.2 million extension to The Grange Interlink Centre in Summerville Road is expected to be finished in January and used by thousands of people.

The dream began seven years ago and funding has been provided from the Government's New Opportunities Fund, Sport England, the European Regional Development Fund, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Waste Cycling Environment Limited, Manningham and Girlington Single Regeneration Budget and Bradford Council.

Centre manager Imran Khan said the funding bodies had come together to make the major community development a reality.

The centre will contain a four-court sports hall, changing rooms and a fitness centre, multi-purpose hall for community use and other sports, cafe, separate day centres for men and women, a youth club, employment training and job search facilities, information technology provision and training rooms. There will also be rooms for homework clubs and part of the centre will be set aside for a primary care trust community health scheme. The existing premises, which were opened in 1981, will be for community use.

Architect Dean Woodward said: "There is a great need for it and there has been a lot of very hard work. It is a major facility."

Chairman of Grange Interlink board Mumraz Khan Lodhi said: "It is a dream come true and long overdue. It is a wonderful day for the community."

Bradford's community and race relations officer Inspector Martin Baines said: "It is going to make an enormous difference and I have always thought there was a great need. It is going to provide fantastic services."

The existing centre - used by about 300 people a week - has facilities including a drop-in centre for the elderly, youth clubs, an advice centre and facilities for sewing, art and design.

Asma Ahmed, 17, who is doing a counselling course at Bradford College and attends the centre, said: "It is really good news for Bradford."

Sehreen Zaman, 32, a voluntary worker who led last year's playscheme, said: "It is going to be very good, especially for Asian women. It is the only place they can go to in this area. They will be empowered."

Bilquis Mohammed, who attends the painting and sewing classes, said: "It is a good opportunity for Asian women because we don't go out much. It is good that this is happening."