This project is to replace the existing library and museum room (see picture above)with a new building. This building will be a new library, a museum telling the Castleford story and more.
This is a council project backed by the community with inputs from local groups such as the Friends of Castleford Library, the Castleford Heritage Trust and the Civic Trust. The community have asked that the facade of the library and the next door former market hall be retained, and as a result the architects have left these in.
The council are committing funding to the project. A steering group has been set up. I am one of its members.
A public consultation has been held regarding the plans for the building. Initial findings suggest most people are in favour.
Castleford as a town suffered a lot in recent decades by the closure and downsizing of industries. It appeared to have lost its hope for the future. Now, things are looking up and there is a new optimism. Yet, the town centre seems not ot have caught up with this. The Forum will be visual icon to the town's new optimism.
Xscape at Glass Houghton is among the country's top attractions both fee paying and free. The Forum could attract a lot of this many number of visitors to the Town Centre.
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