Major transformation plan for derelict Mayhill building

AN INDOOR sports hall and a 150-seat theatre are among the plans for a well-known derelict building that overlooks Swansea city centre.

A charity called the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Wales is exploring the potential of transforming the former Swansea Boys’ and Girls’ Club in Mayhill into one of the finest community facilities in the country.

Swansea Council has allocated the charity a £25,000 grant under its Community Action Transformation Fund to help cover the costs of a feasibility study that’s included the appointment of Huw Griffiths Architects to work up detailed technical designs.

As well as a multi-purpose sports hall and facilities for the performing arts, other plans for the Berwick Terrace building include youth work facilities, a community café, rented offices, a community cinema and spaces for education and training. The potential for residential accommodation on the building’s top floor is also being explored.

Extensive consultation asking people of all ages in the nearby community what they’d like to see in the building has already taken place to help shape the ideas so far. A public meeting has also been organised at the Hill United Reform Church in North Hill at 7pm on Tuesday August 18 to get more local feedback.

The building, owned by Swansea Council, hasn’t been used for over a decade. Its transformation could also see the building becoming the national headquarters of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Wales.

Cllr Will Evans, Cabinet Member for Anti-Poverty, said: “Our Community Action Transformation Fund is specifically designed to help residents and groups like the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Wales get started with projects of this nature.

“What’s being proposed is a wonderful community facility that would serve some of the most deprived parts of Swansea. The planned transformation would help us further tackle poverty and offer local people access to sports, culture, education and health and well-being advice right on their doorsteps. This building’s redevelopment would also help improve the appearance of the community as a whole and could potentially attract more investment in future. I’d urge people to attend the next consultation event on Tuesday evening because it’s an opportunity to help shape a facility that could benefit many thousands of people in years to come.”

Joff Carroll, Chief Executive of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Wales, says what’s happening now builds on the work of Alan Lloyd MBE, the former secretary of the charity’s Swansea branch who died earlier this year.

Joff said: “There’s a real need in the local community for this type of facility. The response to the consultation we’ve held so far has been hugely positive, especially from young people. The next step is to share our ideas, gather more feedback and start looking for sources of funding.”

Some of the educational plans for the building include the delivery of courses and workshops in building trade skills, basic literacy and numeracy, art, pottery, DJ skills and photography.

The proposed indoor sports hall could accommodate five-a-side football, netball, gymnastics, badminton, wheelchair sports, mini cricket, indoor bowls and keep-fit sessions. Changing facilities and a viewing gallery are also planned.