Work is underway on the development of Long Knowle Community Hub.
The community hub is one of a number of developments across the city which will bring together a range of services under one roof.
The new facility, set to open its doors for the first time next year, is being created by modernising the existing library and community centre building on Wood End Road.
It will offer library, information, community and youth services, and there will also be refreshment facilities.
Extensive renovation work will be taking place over the next five months including the creation of an open plan layout and new entrances, flooring, roof and ceiling repairs, internal and external redecoration, the installation of a new kitchen and the replacement of the building’s ageing heating system.
Community groups will still be able to use one of the two community rooms during the majority of the construction period, though it has been necessary to close the library temporarily until the modernisation work is completed.
In the meantime, library customers are being reminded that they can borrow and renew items at any library in the city – the nearest to Long Knowle are at Wednesfield, Ashmore Park and Low Hill – and renew books either online at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries or via the 24-hour renewals hotline on 01902 552500.
Councillor Mattu added: “I am pleased that work is about to begin on Long Knowle Community Hub.
“We’ve had some great support from members of the local community who have been very heavily involved in the planning and design work on their new hub, and I am sure they are looking forward to using their new facility when it officially opens next year.
“I’d like to ask people to bear with us while the construction work takes place. We are carrying out major renovations and so some disruption is inevitable, but we’ve tried to keep it to a minimum.”
He added: “This is one of the first in a network of hubs which we are developing across the city. By bringing important services such as these together under one roof, we hope to protect them in the face of swingeing Government cuts by making them both more cost-effective and also more easily accessible to customers.”