Phase two of youth club revamp plan put on hold

The second phase of an ambitious million pound makeover of Portishead's youth club has been held up due to a wrangle between the council and the centre's management team.

Bosses at the youth centre had hoped to start work on the second phase of the project to refurbish the popular Harbour Road centre this summer. But they have yet to be given the go ahead by the authority because a decision has not been made about whether North Somerset Council or the youth club management committee is to project manage the work.

The wrangle has meant it's now been delayed and now it is unlikely that work on the second phase will start before the end of the year.

The first phase of the work, which cost in the region of £250,000 was completed in February and saw the refurbishment of an office into an administration area and consulting room. Both the male, female and disabled loos have also been totally revamped and fitted with a baby changing facility.

The centre's media suite – home to the youth centre's Radio Dynamic station – has also been revamped and a new multi-purpose hall, complete with dance studio, created.

The second phase of work, expected to cost about £750,000 and take nine months to complete, will see the building extended and a new entrance built and cafe area created.

There will also be a new administration block, arts room, special needs room, computer rooms and the main hall refurbished.

Portishead Youth Club redevelopment committee chairman, Roger Sainsbury, said: "It has been a very frustrating time and we have now asked the council to come back to us with a decision within the next week and are awaiting its response.

"The main issue is about whether the youth club manage the project or the council takes responsibility for it. We have been promising the young people of Portishead a better youth facility for many years and I am anxious that we do not lose credibility with them.

"We have the money in place for the project but may need to revise our plans slightly because the delay has meant that the cost of the work has risen. The committee will also be doing some fresh consultation with the young people before work on the project starts."

It has taken club supporters several years to raise the funds with cash coming from 106 planning agreements with local developers, £100,000 from Portishead and North Weston Town Council and substantial grants from Yanley and North Somerset Environmental Company (YANSEC) and other organisations. Other cash came from the Government and the sell-off from the authority's council houses, and £50,000 has been raised fundraised locally.

Mr Sainsbury added that if there were further delays to the project, some of the funding could be lost.

He added: "We cannot afford any further delays because it could affect elements of our funding and put the future of the project in jeopardy."

The club, which opened in 1966, is a popular venue with young people, providing sports, arts, crafts and music activities as well as regular outings.

North Somerset Council spokesman, Steve Makin, said: "We have received a letter from the management committee about the project management of phase two which we will be responding to in due course."