Yangju City Opens Its First Urban Regeneration Hub 'Waglwagl Center'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Lim Hong-soon] Yangju City and the Deokjeong Village Management Social Cooperative (Chairman Choi Ho-sung) held an opening ceremony on the 4th to share the development process of 'Waglwagl Center,' Yangju City's first urban regeneration hub facility, and commemorate its inaugural launch.

The opening ceremony was attended by approximately 150 people including Mayor Kang Su-hyeon of Yangju City, Chairman Choi Ho-sung of the Deokjeong Village Management Social Cooperative, National Assembly Member Yoon Chang-chul of Yangju City Council, Yangju City Council members, officials and representatives of organizations, and residents.

Waglwagl Center is a hub facility promoted as part of the Deokjeong Urban Regeneration New Deal project selected in October 2019. The city acquired the former Deokjeong Police Box site in July 2022 for the creation of Waglwagl Center and invested a total project cost of 5.74 billion won, including state funding, to complete construction in August of this year with a 4-story structure and a total built area of 992.72 square meters.

The first floor of Waglwagl Center features a village cafe, and the second floor houses a children's educational experience center, both operated by the Deokjeong Village Management Social Cooperative. The third floor is designated as an education-specialized space and will be utilized through collaboration with local universities as university lecture rooms and lifelong learning center educational space for area residents. The fourth floor will house a small business support center, scheduled to open in December of this year, and will be responsible for education and growth of local small business owners.

Mayor Kang Su-hyeon stated, "I will do my best to help Deokjeong regain new vitality and develop through Waglwagl Center."

Meanwhile, the village cafe and children's creative playground operated by the Deokjeong Village Management Social Cooperative within Waglwagl Center officially opened following the opening ceremony, and the third-floor educational space is scheduled to be designated and operated as the Deokjeong Lifelong Learning Center for area residents starting November 5th.