Building work is set to begin on a new community hub in the Isle of Axholme, providing families with convenient access to essential services in the heart of their town.
The project is the latest part of the council’s bold community investment programme – with hubs developed and expanded in Ashby, Barton, Brigg, Crowle, and Scunthorpe.
Each has been tailored to better meet the needs of individual communities, improving accessibility and functionality.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s great to see work begin on this new community hub. This is the latest part of a multi-million-pound community investment programme designed to create spaces for communities to come together.
“We are committed to investing in the Isle of Axholme and all of our rural communities, this is adding to the wider levelling-up plans.
“People have said they want access to key services in locations central to them and we have listened. This investment is all about bringing together support and facilities under one roof and locating them at the heart of communities.”
Epworth follows the launch of other community hubs at Ashby Hub, Baysgarth in Barton-upon-Humber, Scunthorpe Central, Crowle’s beautiful Market Hall and the Angel in Brigg.
Located at Epworth Leisure Centre on Burnham Road, residents will have access to a range of facilities within the hub, including a library, digital technology, lifelong learning opportunities and community kitchens, and builds on recent investments in the Isle of Axholme.
This includes the leisure centre in Crowle, improvements to the A18, the A161, the development of the Isle Greenway, a new visitor centre in Belton, thousands of pounds of community grants, a new hub in Keadby and in the coming year, cash for schools in Belton, Luddington, Garthorpe and West Butterwick for building improvements.
The flexible spaces will support a range of community-led activity provided by public and voluntary sector organisations, which will provide additional support and information to local residents.
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for rural communities, said: “The hubs have all been tailored to the needs of individual communities.
“They are adaptable spaces, this latest development in the Isle will help enable local groups to develop and expand, it will have a positive impact on people’s quality of life.
“The investment in buildings is backed by a raft of community grants which have built playgrounds, outdoor gyms, wildlife havens and a whole range of amazing planting schemes in communities across the area.”
This investment from the council – which last week froze general council tax – complements more than £80m of Government funding which has backed plans for creating a new future in North Lincolnshire.
This includes cash for roads and new motorway junctions, enabling people to develop their skills and supporting communities.
