CAMPAIGNERS are preparing to bid for up to £2.5m of funding for a community centre in Mirfield approved last month.
Kirklees Council gave permission for the Gilder Hall project to go ahead on land off Greenside Road.
Now the Mirfield Community Trust (MCT) is researching sources of cash ahead of formally applying for grants.
MCT administrator Geoff Walls said it could take three months, after which funding bids would be made.
Further research is being done on building contractors as part of a tendering process for the scheme.
Mr Walls added the charity hope to announce a start date for construction by the summer.
He said: “We were delighted by the council’s decision. We’d build Gilder Hall tomorrow if we could.
“We met last week to discuss grant applications. We’re investigating several different avenues of funding.”
Mr Walls said grants could not be applied for until after planning permission had been secured.
Kirklees put conditions on the development, such as drainage, the look of the building and the preservation of protected trees.
Gilder Hall would house groups currently at an old school building on Wateroyd Lane known as Mirfield Community Centre.
It would also have facilities to involve children in various sports and leadership activities.
Mr Walls praised MCT’s committee and the separate group which runs the community centre for battling this far.
The plans, proposed in 2010, were delayed for three years in a wrangle with Sport England.
He said: “I’d like to think Mirfield is lucky to have such a committed group of volunteers who’ve stayed the course.
“It’s been a long road, but we’re progressing on all fronts now and can finally see light at the end of the tunnel.”
