Park pavilion regeneration to help young people

A £243,000 grant will be used to regenerate the building

The regeneration of a once popular park pavilion will see it become a community hub and activity centre.

The sports pavilion at Sunderland's King George V playing field fell into disrepair after clubs using it either disbanded or moved elsewhere.

A £243,000 grant will be used to regenerate the building so that it can host community events, activities and meetings.

The Pallian Action Group (PAG), which oversees the pavilion, plans to use the hub to promote positive activities for young people.

It intends to work with the Connor Brown Trust which aims to raise awareness of the consequences of knife crime and was set up after the 18-year-old was stabbed to death.

Activities at the refurbished pavilion will help to deliver the trust's anti-knife crime message while providing positive experiences for young people in the area.

The funding boost, from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will also help to ensure the pavilion can provide support and opportunities for the wider community.

PAG already has a "strong record" when it comes to community work, according to Sunderland City Council leader Graeme Miller.

Mr Miller said: "There's opportunities for further support in the community with a refurbishment of the pavilion building and we're happy to support PAG in these plans so it helps deliver more good works for residents.

"The pavilion building is going to be an important asset for the community."

Work is expected to begin later this year and be completed in 2025.