DESIGNS have been unveiled for a new £2 million community centre set to be built in Greenock's east end.

The facility will be a replacement for Craigend Resource Centre in McLeod Street.

It will feature a cafe, creche, multi-function hall, information technology training room, laundry, training kitchen and flexible meeting spaces.

An outdoor playpark will also be improved.

A planning application has now been lodged with Inverclyde Council and is being considered by planning officials.

A design statement by Inch Architects states: "The aim of the proposed project is to further reinforce and augment Craigend Resource Centre's role in the community by improving the facilities on offer.

"Within its present building, the centre cannot continue to meet the high levels of need and demand from the community.

"This is mainly due to the lack of available space which is severely restricting the building's potential.

"We will aim to provide a redeveloped centre which will provide a vibrant, fit-for-purpose community-owned asset.

"The new centre will be flexible allowing service provision to change in response to need over time."

The existing centre will remain in use while the new building is constructed on land behind it.

Manager Brian Power says the centre's voluntary management board have been working for a decade to secure funding to create a bigger centre.

They hope to take on more members of staff through the ambitious development to add to the eight current posts.

Money for the project has come from the Scottish Government's Regeneration Capital Fund (RGCF).

The centre has also been successful in obtaining £900,000 from the Big Lottery Fund and £180,000 from the Robertson Trust.