THE historic Lysaght Institute is reopening following a £3m refurbishment.

The Institute was first opened in 1928 for the workforce of the Orb Steelworks and quickly became an integral part of the community.

It boasted a ballroom billiard room, skittle alley, public bar and lounge, and provided workers and their families with a wide range of social activities and events. The Institute closed its doors in 2001 and as a buyer could not be found, the building deteriorated rapidly.

Eventually, some of the eight acres surrounding the building were sold to supermarket Morrisons, and the sale of the land provided the funds needed to enable the restoration of the Lysaght Institute.

After four years of planning and a joint effort by the local community and Linc Cymru, the Lysaght Institute will now be run as a social enterprise.

As well as being a community hub, it will also create employment and training opportunities through Newport Social Enterprise, who will provide hospitality and catering services.

The new Lysaght features meeting and training rooms, a IT suite sponsored by Tata Steel, a main function room, a community coffee shop, childcare provision and a fully equipped commercial kitchen. The main function room is fully licensed and already has five wedding reception bookings for 2013.

Many original features have been incorporated into the new interior, with part of the original Canadian maple dance floor being used in the reception area.

Cllr Roger Jeavons said: "A big thank you to Linc and members of the local community who fought tirelessly to make this development a reality.

"It means so much to the community to get the building up and running again, back in its rightful place at the centre of community life."

Robert Smith, chief executive of Linc Cymru said: "Right the way through its restorations it’s been about working in partnership with the community to get things right.

"To see it finished and opening to the public again makes all the hard work worthwhile."

A free shuttle bus will run from Newport city centre to Lysaght every half hour between 10am and 6pm on November 8 for tours of the building, free trial sessions of activities including pilates and Zumba, and to experience the café and IT suite.

For more information, visit www.lysaght-institute.com