BIRCHWOOD Library is to move into the nearby leisure and tennis complex to create a new community hub for the area.

The move, which is planned to be completed early next year, will also involved some refurbishment of current facilities and a new fitness studio.

The library will move from its current location at Birchwood High into the bar area at the leisure centre.

Some of the income from the sale of the former St Oliver Plunkett school site for housing will be used to fund the work, says Warrington Borough Council and LiveWire which will run the scheme.

Work should start later this year.

Key elements of the redevelopment include:

• Transformation of an underutilised bar area and associated space into a modern, open plan library offer, including children’s area and public network computers

• Refurbishment of the reception area

• Refurbishment of leisure changing room facilities

• A new, second, fitness studio on the ground floor

• Creation of extra fitness studio space, through the extension of the existing first floor studio

The current gym, indoor and outdoor tennis courts managed by LiveWire will be retained, alongside the existing school sports hall.

Emma Hutchinson, managing director of LiveWire, said: “I’m delighted that the plans for Birchwood Community Hub are moving forward. We are confident that the library will provide an excellent offer to local residents in a light, friendly and modern space. In addition, the planned improvement work to the reception area and changing rooms, alongside the additional fitness studio space will significantly enhance the customer experience for both existing and new LiveWire members.”

Warrington Borough Council leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “Over the past few years, the council has made a significant investment in leisure and library services across the borough and it’s fantastic to see this continue. We are able to use the income generated from the sale of the former school site – which is now a successful housing development of over 60 new homes – to invest back into community facilities that will benefit people living in Birchwood and neighbouring areas.

“Our aim is to provide communities with state-of-the-art facilities to help people live active and healthy lifestyles, alongside a library offer that meets the needs of the community, both now and in the future.”

Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure and communities, Cllr Tony Higgins, said: “The redevelopment of the existing leisure and library sites in Birchwood is great news and will significantly benefit people living in the local community. We’re following our successful model of providing a wide range of services under one roof which has seen a real positive impact in Orford, Woolston, Great Sankey, and most recently, in Bewsey and Dallam. I’m confident we’ll be able to build on the work done so far to support Warrington residents to lead healthy and happy lives.”

LiveWire will be hosting a series of staffed drop-in sessions at both the library and leisure centre.

They take place at Birchwood Library on;

• Tuesday May, 17 from 4.30pm to 6pm

• Saturday, May 21 from 10am to 12pm

• Monday May 23 from 11am to 12pm

• Friday, May 27 from 3pm to 5pm

• Wednesday, June 1 from 10.30am to 11.30am

Birchwood Leisure and Tennis Complex;

• Thursday, May 19 from 9.30am to 10.30am

• Wednesday, May 25 3pm to 4pm

• Monday, May 30 from 7pm to 8pm

• Saturday, June 11 from 12pm to 1pm