Plans for boxing hall and stage for live events at Doncaster miners welfare institute

Doncaster Council intends to submit a bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund in order to transform Brodsworth Miners Welfare Institute in Woodlands.

In 2021, the community mobilised to prevent the sale of the site and the campaign became a catalyst for the development of a new vision for the valuable community asset, driven by residents.

Council bosses said the levelling up investment will largely be used to transform the physical nature of the site with it being a ‘means to an end’ to create a vibrant community hub.

The Institute building was built in 1924 as a community hall serving the mining community of the Brodsworth Colliery and was originally funded through wage contributions by miners in the area.

The improved building will be able to better host playgroups, fitness classes, space for private hire, and sports teams for football, cricket, and bowls.

Its large hall and stage will make it suitable for events with large audiences. The surrounding grounds have also hosted many fairs and community events.

Council bosses said the new vision is about ‘building upon this use and expanding the volume and range of activities’.

These ideas include nursery/after school clubs, large community events, health and fitness activities, workspaces, arts and cultural events, and use by a wide variety of community groups.

Organisers of the bid say the expansion will support the ‘long-term sustainability of the institute, preserve its heritage, and maximise the community benefit it creates’.

Ideas include new planting, installing modern signage and removing the gate and reinstalling the historic metal arch between gatehouse buildings as well as repurposing the historic ambulance building.

Spot repairs of the car park could also take place and a garden area to be re-established with the removal of wooden fences to make way for natural boundary hedges.

The site will get an overall refurbishment to the building, associated sports facilities and through the installation of a modern efficient heating system including the potential for energy regeneration through solar power and ground source heat pump.

A council spokesman said: “The vision for Brodsworth Miners Welfare Institute is for a vibrant community hub which will continue to serve the needs of the local community for many years to come.

“We understand the value of the building, the activities provided from it, and the historical significance of the site.”

To view the full plan and comment on the proposal, visit levellingupdoncaster.commonplace.is