A BLACKWOOD youth centre, which burnt down in 2009 could soon rise from the ashes with a £610,000 project at a new permanent location.

A report to go before Caerphilly council's cabinet proposes a youth club could be housed at Blackwood Comprehensive, subject to investment in an extension of the school hall and a multi-use games facility on the tennis court.

The report states such provisions would be of double benefit, increasing space for the comprehensive's pupils.

Users of the former youth centre, devastated when it was destroyed two years ago, have been temporarily housed elsewhere.

The young mum's group relocated to Crumlin's community education centre, Blackwood youth club moved to the town's Fast Forward building, whilst Active Pathways staff went to the Hanger in Aberbargoed.

Following the fire in October 2009, Caerphilly council received £50,000 to demolish the original site and £30,000 to assist in the temporary additional costs of delivering the service.

A total of £610,000 from the insurance settlement would be ploughed into providing this new facility to be enjoyed by all.

Other sites considered were Blackwood Miners Institute and Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre, while a new-build facility would have proved too costly, the report says.

If given the go-ahead, around 80 young people could soon be thriving in their new environment, studying for Duke of Edinbugh awards, enjoying workshops and sporting programmes, like they did in the old centre.

Town mayor Cllr. Andrew Farina-Childs, a governor at the comprehensive which his daughter attends, said he whole-heartedly supports the plans.

He said: "Whatever meeting I attend it's always the same people say there's not enough youth provision and we've got to give this back to our young people."

The project is recommended for approval at the cabinet meeting on May 10.