A MULTI-million pound project to upgrade dated facilities at YMCA Lakeside got under way this week.

The £6.8m scheme will see the site, which has hosted hundreds of thousands of young people over a number of decades, transformed into a centre fit for the future.

Workmen donned their hard hats on the shores of Windermere to mark the start of the scheme, which is due to be complete by May next year.

It has secured 67 existing staff and created an additional 11 jobs.

"We have worked hard to get to this stage of the project," said John Cronin, CEO of YMCA Fylde Coast.

"I’d like to thank everybody involved - from the tireless fundraisers to all our incredibly loyal supporters who have ensured we can actually build this amazing new facility.

"This will impact on the lives of 10,000 young people every year.”

The project will create:

• 192 student bed spaces (a third more than the existing provision)

• 24 teacher/youth leader bed spaces

• Additional safety and security features

• Recreational and social areas

• Four teaching/training rooms for up to 50 people

• On-site catering facilities and dining room

• Separate quality accommodation and staff room area for eight leaders

• An outdoor activity area and canopied area within the building

• Pitches for a tented village with 176 maximum occupancy

• A modern IT Suite

YMCA Lakeside has deteriorated since the 1990’s due to a lack of capital funds for investment at the site. Many of the buildings have been in continual use since the early 1950’s and have been worn out by the million young people it has hosted over the years.

The Lake District National Park Authority granted permission to the scheme in January 2014.

Cassidy & Ashton from Preston have been appointed to act as the lead consultant overseeing the final design and building phase with quantity surveyors Thornber & Walker, services consultants Beech Jackson Partnership and structuring and civil consultant Curtins Consulting Ltd.

Fundraising continues with Lakeland’s Sam Rayner campaigning for funds to see the project to completion including a Yes Chef event.

Working with the best chefs in the north of England, black tie dinners and charity auctions will simultaneously be hosted at Kendal College, Bartle Hall, near Preston, and Manchester’s The Monastery on May 3.

Great British Bake Off star Mary Berry will be joining in at the Manchester event.

Having raised more than 90 per cent of the cash needed to create the new facility, it is hoped the foodie events will provide the final portion of funding.