Plans for the development of a new £4.7m youth centre in Luton, Bedfordshire, are to move forward after the government confirmed capital funding towards the scheme. TOKKO - designed by Max Rengifo of AStudio Architecture - will feature a climbing wall; performance spaces; a games and IT area; and multi-use studios. Training and counselling rooms; a rooftop zen garden; a beauty and fashion studio are also proposed, along with a

Newport Gwent Dragons has announced that work is to commence on the next stage of a multi-million pound renovation of the Rodney Parade stadium in Newport. Work is due to begin on a new East Stand at the rugby union venue, which is set to boast seating for more than 2,000 supporters and 13 corporate boxes. Improved bar, hospitality and catering facilities are also proposed as part of the latest

Pub operator and brewer Young's has announced that it is to open a new 23-bedroom hotel at its Alma pub in Wandsworth, London, following a £2.7m investment. A new accommodation wing featuring boutique-style bedrooms has been added to the pub, which will add to the group's existing portfolio of nearly 350 rooms. Hotel designers RDD were involved with the scheme, which also included the refurbishment of The Alma's pub and

A former gaol in Armagh, Northern Ireland, is to be transformed as part of a mixed-use redevelopment of the site. Armagh City and District Council (ACDC) has held a consultation event to gather feedback on plans for a reconciliation and heritage centre as part of the scheme. The attraction will form part of a wider heritage-led development for Armagh Gaol, which also involves Trevor Osborne Property Group and The Prince's

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) unveiled the new-look Leatherhead Leisure Centre following the completion of a 20-month refurbishment. An open weekend will take place on 15-16 January to enable local residents to explore the facilities at the revamped venue, which was designed by A+G Architects. Volker Fitzpatrick carried out the improvements, which included the creation of a new 439sq m (4,725sq ft) fitness suite and aerobics studio. A soft play

Diller Scofidio + Renfro's designs for the Broad Art Foundation - a new contemporary art museum in Los Angeles, US - have been unveiled. Located on Grand Avenue, the three-storey attraction will feature a honeycomb "veil" that wraps around the building and will house around 2,000 works. The 120,000sq ft (11,148sq m) museum will feature 40,000sq ft (3,716sq m) of column-free gallery space and a lecture hall seating up to

Bournemouth Borough Council (BBC) has submitted its plans to reduce the height of the Waterfront building and create a new rooftop terrace. In line with its planning brief, the back of the property will be less than half the existing height to provide clearer views of the Purbeck hills from Bath Hill. Other plans to alter the building's appearance include a sculptural living wall at the rear and a public

A US$36m (£23.2m, €27.8m) museum in St Petersburg, Florida, US - dedicated to the work of Spanish artist Salvador Dali - is to open on 11 January. The Dali Museum has been designed by Yann Weymouth of HOK Architects to include more than 900 triangular-shaped glass panels. More than 2,100 works by the artist, including nearly 100 oil paintings, will be on show at the attraction - the largest collection

Marwell Wildlife, a zoo in Hampshire, UK, has announced that its new cheetah enclosure is on track to open in time for Easter 2011. The new addition, to be named Savannah Tracks, will be the attraction's major new opening for the 2011 season and includes an interactive running track on which children will be able to compare their own speed against a cheetah. Guests will be able to observe the

A new temporary exhibition will open in central London later this month, charting the story of how Lee Valley is being transformed ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games. Launching on 17 January at New London Architecture's The Building Centre, the free exhibition will showcase the previously untold regeneration story of the park's green spaces, heritage sites, conservation areas and sports venues. Called 'A 2020 Vision', it will also outline the

Work is being carried out on the next phase of improvement works in Carlisle- part of the Roman Gateway project to enhance the city's heritage tourism appeal. Bitts Park and the Historic Quarter are in line to benefit from the overhaul, which is hoping to establish Carlisle as a gateway to the western and central sections of Hadrian's Wall. European Union, Northwest Regional Development Agency and Carlisle City Council cash

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) has launched a formal expressions of interest process for operating the Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond-designed ArcelorMittal Orbit. Located between the Olympic Stadium and the Aquatics Centre, the sculpture won the competition to create an accessible piece of art for the Olympic Park. It will be operated as a visitor attraction both during the 2012 Games and in legacy mode. The £22.8m, 114m-tall sculpture

Fresh Fitness has opened its first two clubs in Denmark, located in Copenhagen. The budget concept has been launched in Denmark as a joint venture between Just Fitness in Denmark - led by former CEO of fitnessdk, Rasmus Ingerslev - and Nordic market leader SATS. The two clubs - measuring 1,300sq m and 1,500sq m - offer gyms with around 100 pieces of equipment: refurbished Life Fitness CV kit and

Local residents in Corby, Northamptonshire, have selected their preferred design for a new six-screen cinema to be developed in the town. Corby Borough Council (CBC) confirmed that the third of four NBDA Architects-designed proposals put forward by Mulberry Developments polled highest in a public vote. Nearly 700 people took part in the consultation, with Option C - a curved, oval shape design - identified as the preferred choice. CBC willl

Plans for a new 64m (208ft) Welsh dragon landmark on a site between Llangollen and Wrexham have been deferred by councillors. Local businessman Simon Wingett is behind the Waking The Dragon scheme, which also incorporates a 2,150sq m (23,142sq ft) cultural centre and landscaped gardens. The 23.5m (77.1ft) dragon sculpture will be situated on top of a 41.5m (136.2ft) concrete tower, which will feature a public viewing platform. Plans were

AV specialist DJ Willrich has been appointed to install the multimedia systems at the new MShed museum in Bristol. The attraction will feature three galleries showing the history of Bristol from prehistoric times to the 21st century. Themes at the galleries feature a journey into the perceptions of what it has meant to live in the city over the centuries, through the recollections of the people who shaped the city.

Pick Everard has announced that it is working on the design of a new play area that will be among the facilities at the National Forest Cycle Centre, Leicestershire. The play area will accompany more than 8 miles (12.9km) of off-road cycling trails; a visitor centre and café; and a bike workshop. A miniature landscape with river, hills and trees feature as part of the design for the natural play

A new 2,995-bedroom resort - The Cosmopolitan - has officially opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, US. Facilities include a 100,000sq ft (9,290sq m) casino; the Sahra Spa and Hammam and the Marquee Nightclub and Dayclub, as well as nine retail boutiques. Among the signature spa offerings are a 'reimagined' steamroom; a heated hammam; the Sahra Suite; and a number of other spa suites with treatment areas and relaxation space. The

Blu Spas has been working with architect Didier Lefort of DL2A Paris and the UK-based GA Design on interiors on a luxury resort and spa at the 140-bedroom Four Seasons hotel in Marrakech, Morocco. The spa will feature 17 treatment rooms, two VIP suites with private relaxation gardens, men's and women's hammams as well as saunas, whirlpools and gardens and will cost approximately US$15m to build. Also featuring 40 ryads

Conwy Council is to put potential designs for the redevelopment of Colwyn Bay Waterfront on display at the Colwyn Leisure Centre on Thursday (6 January). Six designers have submitted their proposals for the rejuvenation of the North Wales resort's promenade, which will all go on show at the event. Each of the designers have been required to include details of proposed watersports facilities street furniture and public art as part

Edinburgh-based Malcolm Fraser Architects has been appointed to lead a design team for the Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean project near Stornoway. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - Western Isles Council is behind the proposals for the historic site, which is also poised to include a new 'hospitality venue'. Simpson and Brown Architects will also be involved with the scheme, which will be funded by the council and the Heritage

East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) has submitted its plans for a new 'green' leisure centre in Ely. The Roberts Limbrick-designed scheme would provide a new district-wide facility and is poised to include a six-lane, 25m swimming pool and a six-court sports hall. A small children's leisure water area; an additional fitness area; family changing facilities; and a car park are also included as part of the planning application. The new

North Somerset Council (NSC) is to hold a public exhibition to allow residents in Weston-super-Mare to comment on redevelopment plans for the Tropicana centre. Havard Tisdale and the Nightingale Group are the two developers currently in the running to lead the regeneration of the seafront site. NSC has confirmed that plans drawn up by both firms will be on show at the events, which are due to be held at

Real Estate Opportunities' (REO) bid to redevelop Battersea Power Station has cleared its latest planning milestone with the green light from London mayor Boris Johnson. The £5.5bn scheme - designed by Rafael Viñoly - was approved by Wandsworth Council last month and will include support towards an extension of the Northern Line. REO's plans for the site include the restoration of the Grade II*-listed power station site - decommissioned in

A historic 1930s cinema in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire - recognised as having a unique art deco interior - has received a £680,000 grant. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is providing support towards the repair and conservation of the Grade II-listed Regal Cinema. A two-year programme of community activities is also proposed for the venue, which was acquired by Tenbury Town Council in 1972. Anne Jenkins, head of the HLF for

York-based exhibition design company Bright White has been chosen to design and create the £5m visitor experience at the historic Battle of Bannockburn site in Scotland. The centre, which is due to open in time for the 700th anniversary of the battle in 2014, is being developed in partnership between Historic Scotland and the National Trust. Chris Walker, managing director of Bright White, told Attractions Management that the design of

Waverley Borough Council (WBC) has unveiled plans for the development of a new leisure centre in Godalming, Surrey. ISG has been appointed to deliver the £6m facility, which has been designed by Pozzoni and will feature a 25m swimming pool and a learner pool. A gym; a dance studio; and a café are also proposed as part of the development, which will replace the town's existing facility. Energy efficient measures