A NEW multi-million pound centre which will provide essential services for adults with disabilities and the local community will officially open its doors in Hartlepool today.

Hartlepool Borough Council is behind the project to create the new Hartlepool Centre for Independent Living (CIL) on the site of the Havelock Centre.

Sue Snowdon, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, will unveil a plaque this morning at 11.40am before an audience of civic guests, staff and people who use the service before going on a tour of the impressive building.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the council leader, said: “We are delighted that the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham is visiting Hartlepool to officially open our brand new centre.

“The Council has adopted a very innovative approach to this project which has brought a range of providers together under one roof to deliver vital services to the people of our town.”

The £4m development, in the Burbank area of town, brings together a range of services aimed at improving the life chances of disabled people including Council services from the Havelock Centre and the Warren Road facility at Oakesway – all under one roof.

A range of other organisations will also work in partnership to provide key services from the building including Tees Esk & Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust and housing association Thirteen Group.

Councillor Stephen Thomas, chairman of the council’s adult services committee, said: “It is a major achievement for the Council to be creating state-of-the-art facilities for local people at a time when we are facing significant financial pressures.

“The new building will provide the very best services for people in our town with disabilities along with vital other facilities for the local community.”

The building will also be home to a number of local providers including Incontrol-able - a community interest company providing support to disabled people – and the In Good Hands Project which provides support to people who have sight and hearing difficulties.

The impressive three-floor building also boasts an events hall, training and meeting rooms, an ICT suite, cafe and spa pool with many of the facilities available for public hire.

Hartlepool Council’s Building Design & Construction Section is the main contractor for the development while local firm Gus Robinson Developments has carried out some of the sub-contract work.

For further information about the centre visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk