Temple to be turned into women's centre

It is hoped the new facility, which will include a gym, creche, IT room, training kitchen and function room, will become a hub of the community for the women of Barkerend.

The building in Hubert Street, off Leeds Road, was bought in May 2001 for £130,000 by Sure Start Barkerend, the organisation which helps families with children under four in the area get off to the best start.

Now with the help of an additional £175,000 from Regen 2000, a regeneration scheme for the area, contractors are due on site on January 6 and work is expected to be completed by the end of March. Asma Tariq, women's centre co-ordinator, said: "Nearly three years ago when the voluntary sector was researching the needs of the area, we identified that women needed a place that was for women only, that had activities developed by women, for women. For so many years their needs have been neglected.

"We have had a group of local women involved in plans for the centre from the start. They told us they wanted the gym, training rooms, child care and training kitchen."

The building, which has been standing empty for a year and has been vandalised, is due to undergo a total refurbishment. It will be rewired and there will be new plumbing, heating and windows.

Mother-of-four Sayra Musa, of Byron Street, and a Regen 2000 community director, said the centre would make a huge impact on women who lived in one of city's most deprived areas.

"I have lived here for the last 20 years and something like this has never happened before," she said. "As a parent I can say this centre will give women a chance to network and build social inclusion. In the past women have been isolated by having children.

"For young girls, having this project will empower them, giving them confidence.

"We hope that this centre will thrive and that there will be a positive outcome and women will have a voice and power."

The centre is looking to have charitable status so funds can be raised from other sources to keep it going.