Newcastle United Foundation’s community hub plans approved

Newcastle United Foundation’s plans for a community hub for education, sports and wellbeing a goal-kick away from St. James’ Park have been given the green-light.

The three-story hub will include innovative classrooms, high-tech digital hub, four-court sports hall, smart fitness suite and accessible changing areas, event and meeting spaces and open-plan offices.

The building is being brought to life by Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture, with their innovative designs set to transform the former site of Murray House community centre in Newcastle’s West End.

Ryder was appointed to produce detailed proposals for the build after the Foundation received a significant £2.6m investment from the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) to transform the way young people transition from education to the world of work via the ambitious NU Futures scheme to be delivered in the hub.

‘We are delighted that planning permissions has been granted and all our efforts are now focused on creating a building that will serve the community for generations to come,’ said foundation deputy head, Sarah Medcalf.

‘The generous contributions we have received so far will support the Foundation’s missions to build our new home which will become a hub promoting excellence in education, pathways into employment and the physical and mental wellbeing of participants of all ages and abilities.’

Developers expect construction to begin in autumn 2020, with hopes of doors opening to the public in autumn 2021 when children, families, retirees, schools, community groups and businesses can use the state-of-the-art space.

Alexandra Blaylock, project architect at Ryder, said: ‘Helping the Foundation to realise their ambitions for their new home has been a hugely rewarding journey for Ryder.

‘Learning about the great work provided created a lot of passion within the design team to provide an architecturally and socially valuable building for all users.’

‘Having worked closely with the Foundation for some time, we have formed a great relationship which we look forward to continuing throughout the next phase of the development.’

Photo Credit – Jarmoluk (Pixabay)