Thanks to Geoff for this update on the conversion of former Downside Middle School. Ed
Work to convert the former Downside Middle School in Newport to a joint school, children’s centre and community centre hub commences this week.
Closed at the school reorganisation in 2011, the Downside site has been operating as a temporary Council-funded community and learning centre for the past five years. A temporary base for groups like Way Forward, Family Learning services and the homeless night shelter.
Once the refurbishment works are completed for September 2016, then Barton Primary School will move onto the greater part of the site.
Plenty of room for more
However, there will still be room for a re-located East Newport Children’s Centre (currently run by Barnardos on the existing Barton site) and a new Downside Community Centre, to be managed by Pan Together – the local community group.
Local councillor Geoff Lumley (Newport East) said,
“This project is the culmination of community aspirations resulting from the Pan Meadows development approval six years ago. It was always intended as part of the planning approval for Pan Meadows that there would be a larger primary school on the Downside site. Barton Primary is now a growing and successful school and the move comes at the right time for them. The Children’s Centre wants to move with them and the community centre were always promised better accommodation on a shared site than the current portakabins.
“The funding for the community centre and part of the school and children’s centre comes from the Pan Meadows developer’s contributions to the community and education.
“However, last May the Council Executive generously agreed to fund Barton’s move up to the tune of £700,000. Overall there will be a Council capital and developer investment of £1.65m in this project.
“In these financially stretched times this is good news for my community, our local school and our young people.
“My thanks to the current administration and, it has to be said, the previous administration for keeping Downside running when it would have been easier to close it.”
Image: © Google Streetview
