A FLAGSHIP community centre that has been used as a model for schemes across the country has reopened after an ambitious refurbishment scheme.

Park View Community Association, on the site of Park View school in Chester-le-Street, has reopened its sports and leisure facilities and theatre following a £200,000 revamp.

The community association was ahead of its time when it opened in the early 1980s, before schools were so actively encouraged by the Government to provide facilities for community use.

It was set up when local councils and the Sports Council decided there was not enough sports facilities in Chester-le-Street and began investing in the facilities at the comprehensive to make it accessible to the community.

The association now regularly receives visitors from as far away as Leeds, Berwick and Carlisle, wanting information on setting up their own schemes.

Now it has been given a new lease of life after being updated with the help of funding from Durham County Council and the community association and government grants.

A new synthetic, outdoor sports pitch has been installed, the gym has been fitted with a new heating system and roof, and the sports hall has been given a new roof, lighting, heating system and floor.

The theatre has been completely rewired to enable local productions to make more use of special effects and lighting and tiered seating has been installed. New indoor bowling facilities have also been added.

Community association manager Carl Belshaw said: "At the time it was a forward-looking initiative and it's now turned into one of the biggest community facilities in the region, probably in the country."

This season the theatre will be used for productions by at least three amateur dramatics groups. There will also be a carol concert by Park View Community Theatre, a dance display and flower demonstration.

Approximately 20,000 people a year pass through the doors of the community association, which has 2,500 members. In the future the association hope to make its facilities more accessible to the disabled and to continue to upgrade the centre.

Mr Belshaw said: "It runs at quite a pace. We're struggling to meet the demand so we're using the other school site at North Lodge as well."