Councillors have agreed to fill a £600,000 funding gap to rebuild a community hub and day care service in Meirionnydd.

Last year, Gwynedd Council revealed plans to demolish and rebuild Dolgellau’s Canolfan Dolfeurig.

The plans were originally expected to cost £1.2m, but after a new report found the project would likely cost £1.8m, Cabinet members have agreed to provide the extra £600,000 needed to progress with the plans in full, rather than scale them back.

According to the authority, the new Dolfeurig will act as a community hub as well as providing a day care service, giving individuals with learning disabilities the opportunity to attend social events and learn new skills in a way that encourages community engagement.

Among the plans are to demolish the existing building and rebuild a new centre on the same site, with talks to take place on how those currently using the centre will be supported while building work takes place.

The new facility will include a shop and café open to the public as well as a craft workshop, sensory room and training kitchen.

The report presented to Cabinet, noted: “When this scheme was first considered, a request was made for £1.2m to establish a building that would replace the current centre in Dolgellau, which is in a dire condition and completely unsuitable for providing opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

“However, after doing more thorough work, it appears that constructing a building with the modern resources one would expect that such a facility would cost closer to £1.8m. Therefore, there is a funding gap of £600,000.

“The choice is to provide a resource that is short of what should be built for £1.2m or to provide an appropriate resource at a cost of £1.8m.”

Cllr Dafydd Meurig, said: “I support the idea of providing more funding towards Canolfan Dolfeurig and I went on a visit there before the pandemic and it’s clear they need a new building.

“The current facility has already reached the end of its life; a state-of-the-art building would be great and just what the users deserve.”

Members also decided to funnel another £2m to help build more business units across Gwynedd, described as much needed for smaller and start-up businesses in the county.

While the North Wales Growth Deal will ensure strategic sites are addressed, members were told there would also be a need for smaller units elsewhere in Gwynedd to meet local demand.

Both projects, as part of the capital plans, were unanimously approved.