Demo plans in for St Helens leisure complex
An activity and day facility would replace the Pilkington building off Ruskin Drive if given the go-ahead.
The site is owned by the Pilkington Family Trust and the current single-storey leisure complex, which takes up just more than 7,000 sq ft, is not in use and deemed no longer fit for purpose.
Previously the building hosted activities such as snooker, and an arts club, and also served as a meeting and practice place for the Pilkington Choir.
A replacement two-storey welfare centre would offer facilities for residents of the nearby Ruskin Lodge care home and their carers to create an activity centre, and to provide some respite for carers.
The design of the building will keep the original footprint according to the plans lodged with St Helens Council but will feature an improved internal layout to accommodate the day centre, along with offering areas which can be partitioned for dining.
As the current building contains asbestos and has reached the end of its life, demolition is viewed as a more feasible and safer option rather than carrying out extensive refurbishment works to “maximise the space and modernise the building”, according to the planning statement.
The replacement building would feature a ground floor open plan space for the day centre and dining area with a partition so the rooms can be separated. There would also be a kitchen, store, and welfare area with vending machines, along with toilets and a small office for staff.
On the first-floor level, there would be meeting rooms and a staff room with lift access from the ground floor. The first-floor rooms could also be used on certain days for care providers of those living with dementia to have some respite.
St Helens Council planners will decide on the proposals at a future date.
RJG Architecture is on the project team along with Tyrer Ecological Consultants, MPTrees, and Peak Associates Environmental Consultants.
To view the plans, search for application reference number P/2024/0361/FUL on St Helens Council’s planning portal.
