Two Luton community centres to receive more than £3m for refurbishments

Luton Council will fund more than £3 million of refurbishment work at Lewsey and Bury Park community centres; Lewsey will partially close from 15 February and Bury Park will close this summer for about nine months.

Luton Council has allocated more than £3 million from its capital programme to refurbish Lewsey Community Centre and Bury Park Community Centre. Lewsey hub will be partially closed from 15 February while work is carried out, with completion expected by late summer or early autumn. Bury Park Community Centre will close completely this summer and is expected to reopen after around nine months. Council leader Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE said the upgrades will help make the centres welcoming, accessible and fit for the future while strengthening connections between residents, community organisations and council services. Key details: - Funding comes from the council's capital programme and totals more than £3 million. - Lewsey will have a redesigned entrance, the reception and library moved to improve access, new group rooms, a refurbished kitchen, new digital screens, new windows and energy-efficiency upgrades. - Lewsey will be partially closed from 15 February, with works due to finish by late summer or early autumn. - Bury Park will fully close this summer and is expected to reopen after about nine months. - Bury Park will gain a new entrance with a relocated reception and a redesigned ground floor with events space for up to 300 people. - Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE said the improvements will contribute to the council's 2040 goals and strengthen local connections. Summary: The refurbishment programme is intended to modernise facilities, improve accessibility and increase event capacity at the two centres while causing temporary closures. Lewsey's partial closure begins on 15 February with work due to finish by late summer or early autumn; Bury Park will close this summer and is expected to reopen after about nine months.