Easter fun and green measures in place at new community hub and library in York

Children from Hempland Kids Club used hard hats as the basis of their Easter bonnet creations as work on a new community hub and library in York continues.

Currently under construction, the £4.1 million Centre @ Burnholme will be home to a new community hall, library, café, nursery and meeting spaces, as well as recording space for Tang Hall SMART, a community-led social enterprise which also works with disadvantaged groups across the wider York area.

The centre forms part of a wider masterplan which includes around £35 million of public and private sector investment for the development of a health and wellbeing campus, benefiting residents of all ages.

Sewell Construction is completing the project on the former Burnholme Community College site on behalf of City of York Council which will open to the public later this year.

Youngsters from the local Hempland Kids Club took great pride in entering the Easter bonnet competition, judged by Councillors Nigel Ayre and Keith Myers, with the winners awarded chocolate treats for their efforts.

Councillor Ayre, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at City of York Council, said: “The Centre @ Burnholme is progressing at a great rate. These children have been able to watch the development of the new building and it’s encouraging to see how engaged they are with the Easter activities arranged by the contractor.

“The centre will be a fantastic asset to the local community when it is completed.”

Councillor Myers, Executive Member for Education, Children and Young People at City of York Council, said: “It’s great to see that the young people who attend Hempland Kids Club are once again able to get involved and engage with The Centre @ Burnholme.

“It’s vital that we engage with all people, young and old from the local community so that everyone is aware of the facilities available at Burnholme.”

Meanwhile, solar panels and a wildflower roof are among green measures put in place at the centre, paving the way for a sustainable future.

The steps taken could generate 320,000kWh of electricity over the next 25 years, with a potential saving of £75,000.

Councillor Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Environment at City of York Council: “The environmentally friendly measures at Burnholme will produce renewable energy to power the building, and the bio-roof will catch water to slow its flow into the drains, reducing the risk of surface water flooding.”

Staff who use the site will be encouraged to cycle to work, with a covered cycle storage area, cycle access to the site and showers being put in place.

Josh Donnelly, Development Manager at Sewell Construction, said: “Working with City of York Council we looked past the initial construction phase and identified some long term, sustainable benefits for the centre.

“The roof and integrated solar panels will reduce ongoing energy costs, whilst bringing environmental benefits.

“Native tree and hedgerow species will be planted, grass and a low-growing native wildflower mix will be allowed to grow taller than a standard grassed area to encourage bees and butterflies, and bird and bat boxes will be installed.

“The Centre @ Burnholme will be a huge community asset and City of York Council’s investment in regeneration in the area is making a fantastic difference. We’re very proud to be involved.”