Barrow Island residents came a step closer to getting a new community centre in June 1990 when Associated British Ports' Barrow docks manager Capt J W Green presented a £15,000 cheque to centre project vice-chair Jean Wood.

The residents association had raised £80,000 over a ten-months period and was only £10,000 short of the money needed to refurbish and convert St John's parish hall.

In October 2002, The Mail reported that Barrow Island community centre had been revamped, refurbished and relaunched.

The centre had recently been awarded £70,000 from the government's Neighbourhood Renewal fund to cover running costs for the next two years.

On the back of the grant volunteers had worked through the summer refurbishing the Island Road centre.

Prince's Trust workers were set to continue decorating the rest of the building.

It housed a new community café - new floors had been laid and an old room had been converted into an airy rendezvous.

The café was open from 10am to 2pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays but was proving so popular it was planned to open it more.

Youth and community project manager Helen Bunting said: "There are two paid employees working in the café, plus volunteers.

"Anyone is welcome to come in."

The youth club in the basement had been redecorated and there were plans to introduce Sky TV so youngsters could watch football matches.

The centre also supported a mixed age football team, which had kicked off that season. Up to that point the team had won three matches, the most recent victory an 8-2 win, and lost two.

Barrow Island borough councillor Eric Wood said: "They organise their own matches and kit. We just help them with the paperwork and transport to and from games.

"We are also hoping to bring in musicians to teach youngsters to play instruments and about the music industry."

As well as increasing police surgeries, which had already begun, self defence courses, women's events and groups, community meetings and a creche were planned.

In 1998, The Mail's photographer was on hand to take photographs at the Barrow Island Flower Show.