A NEW facility for disabled adults is set to open in the former Tonge Moor Labour Club.

About £2 million has been spent on transforming the old social club into a specialist day centre for adults with autism and a day centre for adults with learning and physical disabilities.

The services at Falcon View, Cotton Street, will be transferred to the new unit by Thicketford House in Ainsworth Lane — and Lucie Plimley, aged 23, was among the first to see the new centre.

Her mum Amanda, from Westhoughton, said Lucie, who suffers from autism, was delighted with the new building.

“Everything is just better because it’s been purpose-built — it’s amazing”, she said.

“Lucie comes to the service three days a week and she absolutely loves it. I can’t fault it.”

Design features of the new building include curved walls, to make the service users feel more comfortable, and calming, muted colours.

The facility will make up a campus of facilities alongside Thicketford House — an active ageing centre providing day care centre service for older people — and Tonge Moor Health Centre.

Architects GB Building Solutions designed the building with the help of Bolton Council and service users’ families.

Spokesman for the company Stephen Longhurst said: “It is clear that the new facilities will benefit the local community hugely, and we are proud of the role we have played in keeping everyone fully updated on the project’s progress so that we can all celebrate together its completion, on time and to budget.”

After the closure of the Labour club in 2009 after 83 years in business, the building was the focus of an ill-fated project to become the Tonge Leisure and Sports Club. It was put into liquidation after a year, with the club estimated to have debts of up to £60,000.

Bolton Council’s deputy leader Cllr Linda Thomas said the new centre was something the authority was very proud of.

She added: “We’ve worked with service users and their families throughout the building process and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to moving in.

“The centre is lovely and spacious and the facilities are modern, welcoming and easily accessible.”