SUNSHINE House, which cares for seriously ill and disabled children, is on track to reopen in the new year after it was damaged in last year's storms.
The centre, which is run by City Health Care Partnership (CHCP) CIC, was forced to close after it suffered severe damage in the tidal surge in December.
The delay in restoration work at the Walker Street site, in west Hull, meant many families feared the centre was going to close permanently.
There were numerous campaigns launched by parents after rumours spread of a possible permanent closure, and one of the centre's nurses was suspended after supporting one of the campaigns.
But CHCP CIC has now said it hopes to have children moving back into Sunshine House in January, with an official reopening ceremony scheduled for February.
A spokesman for CHCP CIC said: "We're very excited and looking forward to being able to run our service from Sunshine House again in such a fantastic environment."
Senior managers from the company met with parents and Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson in October to reassure them the centre will be reopening.
The spokesman said: "We will continue to work with the families to support them through the transition period back into Sunshine House."
The centre looks after terminally ill and severely disabled children and provides a crucial service for those families in need of respite and palliative care.
The building is owned by Humber NHS Foundation Trust. Rob Atkinson, estate project manager for the trust, said the centre provided vital services for Hull families.
He said: "We are all committed to making sure the building is not only put back to how it was before the flood but that we also take this opportunity to create some real improvements to benefit the children and their families who attend."
One of the improvements will see a sensory room built in the centre, which will include a musical waterbed, an LED carpet and a music system.
It was funded by public donations supported through the Smile Foundation and the City Healthcare Partnership Foundation.
Michelle Smith, operational service director for children and young people's services at CHCP CIC, said she was "delighted" Sunshine House would soon be ready for use again.
"Our staff have been providing an excellent service to support our families at home," she said.
"But I'm sure everyone will be happy to be back in Sunshine House, particularly with the improvements to what was already a fantastic facility."
Dan Simmons, assistant development manager at Citycare, which is in charge of the work, said: "We're now on site and construction is progressing well."
Mail opinion: Fantastic news for parents and childrenIT'S fantastic news that Sunshine House will soon be reopening.
The damage caused by the floods last December had many parents and families who are reliant on the centre extremely concerned that they wouldn't be able to access the centre's again.
The centre, in Walker Street, west Hull, provides crucial support for families and fantastic care for children who are seriously ill and have life-limiting conditions.
According to one parent, it is a "home away from home" – and that's down to the brilliant care they receive from hardworking, dedicated staff.
There were worries throughout the summer that the City Health Partnership CIC, which runs the centre, were thinking about closing it.
The furious reaction by parents and local MP Alan Johnson, who has been a frequent visitor to Sunshine House, underlines the strength of local support it enjoys.
Numerous appeals and campaigns have brought well in excess of £100,000 of funds for the centre, all of which is put to good use in building new rooms for the children to enjoy.
One can only hope that once the centre is back up and running, the wider public continue to support it.
We eagerly await being able to report on the centre's opening in the new year.
