An iconic building in Wishaw could be transformed under ambitious plans submitted to North Lanarkshire Council.
Wishaw YMCA is seeking permission to alter the listed building in order to expand its services to the community.
The organisation has applied to the council hoping to get approval for plans to demolish a cottage on the premises at 145 Main Street and replace it with a new three storey extension.
The application - which would be a multi-million pound redevelopment if completed - would see the creation of new offices, with any alterations said to be “sympathetic” to the appearance of the building.
That would see original features retained while increasing the amount of available space available to the public and community groups.
Wishaw YMCA chairman Graeme Wands told Lanarkshire Live : “So much work has gone into getting us to this stage of being able to put in an application.
“We are a small team but we have been working very hard in the background. This is a great chance to bring the old Edwardian building into the 21st century.
“We have estimated that a million people have passed through the doors of the YM since it opened in 1914.
“It has been a big part of the town and with this development we are hoping to get everyone in Wishaw behind us.”
The heritage of the building stems from it being a bespoke YMCA building and example of early 20th century provision of a community asset for promotion of health and wellbeing, having been constructed just months before the start of the First World War.
However, the YM was forced to close its doors in November 2018 after an inspection from Scottish Fire and Rescue, who deemed it not up to current legislation.
Since then a fundraising drive was launched and volunteers have been working hard to bring the building up to standard.
The YM’s temporary premises on Wishaw Main Street opened last year with the committee finding new and innovative ways to reach out to young people in the town.
Graeme added: “Through collaboration with another local youth organisation (The Brave Jnr) we have been able to link the heritage and history of Wishaw YMCA in an innovative and modern way by telling its story via Minecraft and also showing how the plans submitted would look when complete, also using Minecraft.
“The research and work producing the game and the video was all done by the young members of The Brave Jnr and the quality of the work speaks for itself.
“People can download the Minecraft environment and go explore and create their own additions to the building.
“We have had a formal offer of significant funding to purchase state of the art equipment to offer eSports from our existing project office in the Main Street and this will be in place by the end of 2022 as well as significant investment in equipment for our photography club.
“We would encourage those with an interest in either to get in touch and we can keep them posted on what’s coming up.
“In addition, we would welcome approaches from people within the community who want to get involved in our project as well as organisations who would be interested in using the facilities at the main building when redeveloped as they can register interest with us now.”
The plans for the redeveloped YM building can be viewed on the North Lanarkshire Council website and are also on display at the YMCA offices as well as examples of the materials to be used in interior design of the building when completed.
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