THE Daten in Culcheth has been completely transformed by the hardworking volunteers and committee who manage the club.
I first visited during the Daten's renovations in the middle of January, and since then the sports club has completely changed.
The entrance is essentially unrecognisable from the work-in-progress that I saw in winter, and the rest of the changes are even more impressive.
Perhaps the crowning jewel of the Daten's renovations is the new Sunflower Community Cafe - so-called for the cafe's association with Warrington's Ukrainian Family Hub, which runs from the Daten.
Gone is the small bar from the corner of the room, and instead the area has been filled with comfy armchairs and sofas, as well as tables and chairs to accommodate guests of the community cafe - which is now serving food regularly when the club is open.
The Ukrainian Family Hub runs from the Sunflower twice per week.
Kate Burnham is one of the full-time members of staff that works at the Daten now, and she helps with organising events at the club.
The Daten is something of a family affair for 21-year-old Kate, who has been coming to the club since 2001 with her family; she even worked in the club's old kitchen washing pots from the age of 15.
Kate studied at university before heading back to Culcheth, she said: "It's a really close community in Culcheth, and the club is doing so much for the community now.
"It's actually a bit weird to see so much foot traffic in the club during the week, lots of people are starting to use the facilities really frequently."
The Daten has stood in Culcheth since the 1940s, when it was built as a social club by the UK Atomic Energy Authority for its employees during the Second World War.
It was eventually sold to the community of Culcheth village, and the building has a covenant upon it that ensures it remains in use by the community.
The Daten's ballroom has been given a much-needed facelift, too.
Fitted with modern lighting, drapes on the roof, and an upgraded bar area befitting of the 21st century, it really is something to behold compared to the last time I visited the club.
Kate said the club is starting to appeal to a younger audience as well as the regulars, too: "Doing more events now like the bingo bedlam and 21st birthdays – I had mine here in July – and we’re doing more party nights as well.
"The age of those has ranged from 18 to 60-plus, it's great!"
Reflecting on all the work that has gone in to transform the club, Kate added: "Everyone just wanted to do something with it but it's never been able to get that momentum.
"This is all because of the volunteers.
"Some of us were a bit doubtful of the renovations and thought ‘We’ve heard it all before’ but now I can see it I just cannot believe it."
When I last visited, the Daten was forced to have ever-changing opening hours due to unpredictable footfall, but now it is able to be open for regular hours throughout the summer.
The Daten's community cafe summer opening times are as follows:
- Monday, 9.30am-8.30pm
- Tuesday, 9.30am-8.30pm
- Wednesday, 9.30am-4.30pm
- Thursday, 9.30am-6pm
- Friday, 9.30am-12pm
- Saturday, 9am-6pm
- Sunday, 10am-5pm
The Daten bar area's summer opening times are:
- Monday, closed
- Tuesday, closed
- Wednesday, 4.30pm-
- Thursday, 6pm-
- Friday, 5pm-
- Saturday, 12pm-
- Sunday, 12pm-
The Daten can be found off Charnock Road, in Culcheth.
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