Major redevelopment plans unveiled for town’s civic centre site
Wakefield Council has confirmed Castleford Academy Trust will take over the Castleford Civic Centre site.
The trust will demolish and redevelop the site to integrate educational and community facilities, with an emphasis on the performing arts and community engagement.
Earlier this year, the council had confirmed the civic centre was to be sold off in an effort to save the local authority money. The Ferrybridge Road centre first opened in 1970.
Councillor Denise Jeffery, leader of Wakefield Council, said: “Securing a long-term plan for the redevelopment of this site – for the benefit of our local community – has been an important priority for us.
“So, it’s great news that we’ve been able to work with Castleford Academy to enable plans for a brilliant, much-needed facility for the local community.
“A multi-functional space will not only improve educational outcomes for thousands of children including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
“It will also provide the community and arts organisations with a state-of-the-art performance venue which will help us to enhance cultural opportunities in the town.”
Following a competitive process for the site, the proposal from Castleford Academy Trust was considered to deliver the most benefit for the community.
The Academy is on a landlocked site and has limited scope for expansion.
The council says demolition of the current civic centre building will provide an opportunity for a new school building to be redeveloped – funded by the government’s DfE School Rebuild Programme – to deliver improved outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
A large, modern performance and function hall will also be constructed and will be available for public hire during evenings and weekends.
It will be designed as a hub for cultural events, including live theatre, music, community shows, exhibitions, and workshops. And it will be used as an educational space for performing arts by the school during the week.
The academy’s proposal is dependent upon the trust securing support via the DfE’s School Rebuild Programme which will increase the capacity of the adjoining academy to deliver improved educational facilities, particularly for pupils with special educational needs.
George Panayiotou, CEO of Castleford Academy Trust, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with Wakefield Council’s decision to award the Castleford Civic Centre site to us.
“This is a landmark moment for education and community provision in Castleford. The opportunity to redevelop the site as part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuild Programme will allow us to expand our outstanding provision for children who attend the school, including pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly through our highly regarded Resource Base for Deaf Children.
“This investment represents a powerful commitment from the council to the young people and families of our town.
“It will enable us to deliver modern, inclusive, and high-quality facilities that meet the growing needs of our community, and we are proud to be leading this exciting new chapter for Castleford.”
Council Cabinet members have agreed to invest £1.5m into the capital programme to facilitate Castleford Academy Trust with the disposal and subsequent demolition of the current building and to prepare the site for development.
The civic centre site will be transferred to Castleford Academy Trust by the end of March next year.
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