This was the first of several places that I and some friends visited in February 2008 during an Urbex* weekend meet-up in South Wales. Closed in 2001, the building had deteriorated over the years but it still made an interesting and enjoyable explore.
*Urbex is a shortened form of the term Urban Exploring, which is exploring abandoned and derelict places - also out of bounds live sites, such as cranes, power stations and water plants, etc - often documenting them with photos and historical research on a website and/or Urbex forum.
Built in 1928, the institute was purpose-built as a working man's club for the employees of Orb Steelworks, and was financed both by the company and from contributions by the workers themselves. It was named after W R Lysaght who was the company chairman for fifty years.
Once surrounded by grounds comprising tennis courts, bowling green, putting green and ornamental garden, the facilities inside the building included a public bar, smoking room, lounge, billiards room, skittle alley, reading room and recreation hall. None of the outside amenities appeared to be remaining during my visit in February 2008; the interior a little bit trashed - although I've seen worse - and partly burnt out in the upstairs recreation hall.
Plans to redevelop the site with 350 to 400 homes by Wimpey came to nothing due to the economic crisis, and was subsequently taken over by Linc Cymru. At the time of my initial research, the plans from them included housing, a supermarket and a possible hotel. The institute building was also earmarked for restoration, as it still holds fond memories for many people in Newport whose families enjoyed the social recreation it gave to the town.
One of the last pieces of news that I could find some time ago was a newspaper article published in September 2010, in which it stated that Linc Cymru was relying on money from the sale of the land to the food store chain Morrisons, which would be needed to fund the one million pounds worth of repairs and restoration to the institute building. If granted, conversion work would provide offices for small businesses, a community centre and cafe, which could be completed by October 2011. The £50 million project for Lysaghts Parc also included 180 affordable homes for rent, which were already being built.
However, on checking that out today I see that conversion has been completed. The building looks great but it appears to be solely a centre with rooms to hire for corporate or private meetings, conferences, weddings and parties. So much for small businesses, community centre and cafe!
Going upstairs, where the main attractions were.
The recreation hall (below) and the stage area, which was badly trashed and burnt.
Some smashed windows, below.
Parts of the roof missing.
And some interesting odd bits and bobs, such as this fan and exposed wiring.
Views onto two of the balconies, below.
And more views from outside.
And on the way out I found this delightful piece of sculptured wallpaper attached to some plaster on the ground.
And to finish off, some other photos of the visit.
And finally, the exit sign, which we eventually obeyed. :)
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