Community centre's £370,000 revamp completed

The Sangat Centre in Keighley has been open for more than two decades

Major renovations to transform the home of a community organisation have been completed after three years and £370,000 of work.

Keighley's Sangat Centre was previously in urgent need of modernisation and in “a near-constant cycle of ongoing repairs”, according to manager Riasat Ali.

The work was paid for with £230,000 from the Keighley Towns Fund and £140,000 of match funding from the Community Ownership Fund.

Mr Ali said: “It has been over a three-year process to get to this point, but we are so pleased with what has been achieved.”

The Sangat Centre has been based in a Victorian building on Marlborough Street for more than 20 years.

The organisation offers legal and social welfare advice, daycare for elderly people, adult education classes and youth activities.

The floor of the main hall at the Sangat Centre was replaced as part of the work

The centre's renovation included replacing a section of the roof, upgrading the electrics, a new floor in the main hall, toilet upgrades, construction of a mezzanine, the installation of an energy-efficient heating system and new IT infrastructure.

Mr Ali thanked the centre’s founder Ghulam Rabani, who died in 2021, and chair of the board Younas Qamar for laying the groundwork for the transformation project.

“The results are incredible and our users are really impressed with the renovation," he said.

"This is a bright, warm, modern space now where people can use our services in comfort. It’s a place the whole community can feel proud of.”

Meanwhile, board member Raza Israil, who volunteered to help design the mezzanine, said: “It’s a privilege to give something back to the community by helping to produce a space so many people can utilise and benefit from.”

Tim Rogers, chair of the Keighley Town Board, said the renovation would allow the Sangat Centre to operate more efficiently and effectively.

“It’s fantastic to see what’s been achieved here with the funding. This is a building that now functions well, and which people can be proud of for years to come.”

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